Diversity Message

When people think about diversity some think in very narrow terms. Many people think of diversity in terms of race only. Diversity covers a number of areas and one is related to persons with disabilities. Many people did not know that Congress had to put in place something that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities. A special day for persons with disabilities is July 26 which is Disability Independence Day. This date marks the anniversary of the 1990 signing by President George H.W. Bush of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This Act provides protection from employment discrimination as well as better access to goods, services, and communications for people with disabilities. It was further expanded in 2008 and the changes too effect January 1, 2009.

Source: Remarks of President George H.W. Bush at the signing of the ADA.

Maybe it is time to check how your company looks at persons with disabilities. For further information, here are some links to check out.

REFERENCES:
Text of ADA: http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/ada.cfm

EEOC resources on the ADA: http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/disability.cfm

Text of ADAA: http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/adaaa.cfm

EEOC resources on the ADAA: http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/adaaa_info.cfm

White House Office of the Press Secretary, remarks by the president during ceremony for the signing of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (July 26, 1990): http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/features/2010-ada/RemarksbythePresident.pdf

Examples and resources to support criminal justice entities in compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (January 2017): https://www.ada.gov/cjta.html

Thank you to Charley Galassini for providing this information.

Please click on the image to the left to read the 2018 Diversity and Inclusion Survey Summary.