35 Years of Progress and the Work Ahead
July 26, 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — the landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and access to public services and spaces.
About the ADA
The purpose of the ADA is to make sure people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. It gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities that are similar to those provided on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion.
The law is divided into five sections, or titles, that apply to different parts of daily life. Title II is especially important for the City of Los Angeles. It requires state and local governments — including all City departments — to make their programs, services, activities, and facilities accessible to people with disabilities. This includes public meetings, websites, sidewalks, emergency services, and more.
Thanks to the ADA and the ongoing work of the disability rights movement, Los Angeles continues to move toward a more inclusive, accessible city for all.
Honoring the Disability Rights Movement
Decades of advocacy, organizing, and direct action led by disabled people made the ADA possible. From the Capitol Crawl to local organizing here in Los Angeles, the disability rights movement continues to push society toward inclusion, justice, and equal opportunity.
This year, we recognize the advocates, artists, leaders, and everyday community members who work to advance disability rights and challenge ableism — not only during Disability Pride Month but every day of the year.
