F o r w a r d e d - F Y I

Senator Tom Harkin, [log in to unmask],
writes:

"A Day in the Life of the ADA"  ADA Essays.

July 26, 2000 will mark the 10th anniversary of the
signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. As
those of us who worked so hard for the ADA
predicted, the Act has taken its place among
the great civil rights laws in our history.

On July 26, 1990, we as a country committed
ourselves to the principle that disability in no way
diminishes a person's right to participate in the
cultural, economic, educational, political, and
social mainstream. By eliminating barriers
everywhere from education to health care policy,
neighborhood streets to public transportation,
from workplaces to shopping malls, and from
courthouses to Congress, the ADA has opened
up new worlds to people with disabilities. People
with disabilities are participating more and more in
their communities and living fuller lives as students,
co-workers, taxpayers, consumers, voters and neighbors.

As part of the anniversary celebration, I am
announcing the "A Day in the Life of the ADA"
Campaign. I would like people
across the country to send me stories about how
their lives are different because of the ADA. We
will use the stories to celebrate our accomplishments
and to learn more about what we still must do to give
all Americans an equal opportunity to live out their
dream of independence.

The Campaign will create a historical record of the
profound impact the ADA has had on the daily lives
of people with disabilities, their families and friends,
and every American. I encourage everyone to
share their stories about how the ADA has improved
their lives. For example, I would like stories about:

How the ADA has eliminated segregation in education,
health care, or the workplace.

How the ADA has increased the accessibility of
schools, colleges, government and the workplace
for people with disabilities.

How the ADA has made it possible for people
with and without disabilities to enjoy the smaller
things that many of us take for granted: going out
to a birthday dinner as a family, to a movie or
museum with friends, or just going shopping for
groceries.

How the ADA has improved their lives in any
other way.

I will tell these success stories on the floor of
Congress. I will share them with other Members of
Congress, policymakers and the public
to show how the ADA has benefitted people with
disabilities and all Americans and why it is such
an important law.

So, I ask everyone to help me to build the record
of the ADA's success by sending your stories by
July 15, either by e-mail or regular mail, to:

[log in to unmask]
or
A Day in the Life of the ADA
c/o Senator Tom Harkin, 731 Hart Senate Office Building,
Washington, D.C., 20510
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