When ADA 25th Anniversary Celebrations End, How Can We Keep Momentum Going?

At the time this piece is published, I’ll be resting up after a week filled with festivities honoring the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The past week was the culmination of the past quarter-century living with the ADA in effect, a milestone that absolutely deserves the celebrations upon celebrations that have been taking place. I’ve loved all of it. The events have been a chance to show pride in disability culture, to strengthen friendships and alliances, and to pay homage to the progress we’ve made.

But what happens next week? What happens now that the calendar turns from July to August, when the days eventually grow colder and we move further away from year 25? How about when the 26th anniversary of the ADA rolls around next July 26th? 26 isn’t a major milestone; it’s just another number on the timeline. At each event I’ve attended, there have been powerful speeches and shouts and chants, all proclaiming that we must do everything we can to continue to successfully fulfill the mission of the ADA. This raises the question: will people still be as motivated to pursue progress on the other side of the 25th anniversary?

Of course, those whose lives are entrenched within disability rights activism know that we have a long way to go in gaining true justice for all people with disabilities. The Disability Rights movement exists 24/7/365. However, for far too many people – even those who are devoted to other major social justice movements – disability issues are nothing more than a blip on the radar. ADA 25 has succeeded in expanding consciousness of disability rights in the mainstream, but it’s not always all parties with cheering and colorful balloons. How can we keep the people whose attention we’ve gained engaged and excited about the change that’s yet to come? Without the number 25 lending a hand to strong public relations for disabled people, there’s still more work to be done.

I believe the key to keeping disability issues in the consciousness of society is to continue initiatives that bring an honest look at disability into the public eye. Huge companies, organizations, and public establishments have joined in on the anniversary celebrations, but to what end? Will the commitment to change and acknowledgment of the disability community still be as dedicated and enthusiastic on a random year like 28 or 34?

Here’s an example of what I mean: Over the past couple months, I’ve had the opportunity to see an exhibit on the ADA at the Georgia Center for Civil and Human Rights, to go to the gallery opening for “Gaining Access: The New York City Disability Rights Movement” at the Brooklyn Historical Society, and to explore the Disability Rights Museum on Wheels. I participated in the #DisabilityStories Twitter event hosted by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. These exhibitions and discussions of disability history are fantastic, but why are things like this not present and on display all the time? Why did it take a landmark anniversary for disability rights to be acknowledged so publicly as part of American history, when it has always been there? And will we continue to remain a part of America’s story moving forward? I fear our stories will fade away again once the big 25 passes.

It’s up to all of us to make sure this doesn’t happen. We cannot let the celebration of disability rights and culture be only temporarily visible, because the disability community has already been far too invisible for far too long. The end of this quarter-century is a call to action for all of us to keep our mission alive, and to keep fighting just as hard at year 26, 27, 28…and to bring about the progress we all know is possible as the next 25 years pass on by.

Emily Ladau is a writer and disability rights activist whose passion is to harness the powers of language and social media as tools for people to become informed and engaged social justice advocates. She is the owner of Social Justice Media Services, which provides communications, outreach, and social media management services for disability-related organizations. Emily also maintains a blog, Words I Wheel By, as a platform to address discrimination and to encourage people to understand the experience of having a disability in more positive, accepting, and supportive ways. You’re welcome to connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.