National Disability Independence Day: Celebrating 33 Years of Progress

July 26, 2023, marks the 33rd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. It’s commemorated as National Disability Independence Day.

The landmark civil rights law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life – including employment, education, transportation, and public accommodations. The goal is to help make sure people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

Since its inception in 1990, the ADA has helped make it possible for more people with disabilities to participate fully in society. It broke down barriers that prevented people from getting jobs, going to school and enjoying public spaces.

While the ADA made significant progress, it’s not been without its challenges. There are still many people with disabilities who face barriers their peers do not.

According to U.S. Census data, around 42.5 million Americans are living with a disability. That’s 13% of the population who have some type of hearing, vision, cognitive, walking, self-care or independent living difficulty.

Older Americans are more likely have a disability according to the Pew Research Center. The most common types of disability involve walking, independent living and cognition. To make things even more difficult, those with a disability tend to earn less than people who do not have a disability.

Commemorating the ADA each year is an important time to celebrate the progress that has been made, and a chance to recommit to the work that still needs to be done. We need to remember that disability impacts us all.

Mary Free Bed has a storied history in restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation to people with disabilities. Whether someone needs a short course of treatment or a lifetime of care, Mary Free Bed’s board-certified rehabilitation physicians, nurses and therapists are dedicated to helping people achieve their maximum potential. The team offers leading rehabilitation services to support every stage of recovery after an injury, illness, surgery or serious condition.

Beyond rehabilitative care, Mary Free Bed offers support groups for patients and families dealing with amputation, brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke or visual impairment.

Mary Free Bed also has a Patient and Family Advisory Council that works to create a better experience for patients, caregivers and staff at the hospital. It’s a diverse group of people looking to patient and family centered care, while supporting families, caregivers and health care workers.

For those seeking the exhilaration and thrills of sports and activities, Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports offers one of the largest programs of its kind in the United States. Every year we offer a robust program of adaptive sports, classes, clinics and camps to hundreds of people with disabilities of all ages.

Celebrating Our Disabilities

Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July to also commemorate the passing of the ADA law. Patients in outpatient therapy at Mary Free Beds Kids celebrated their disability by taking photos with the disability pride flag.

The five colors in the flag represent the variety of needs and experiences people with disabilities may face: blue for mental illness, yellow for intellectual and developmental disabilities, white for sensory disabilities, red for physical disabilities, and green for invisible and undiagnosed disabilities.

Check out the photos in the gallery below.

Help Make the World a More Inclusive Place

On National Disability Independence Day, and every day, you can take a lead on making a difference for those with disabilities. There are many opportunities for people and businesses to help drive social change:

Be Mindful: Understand the barriers people with disabilities face.
Stay Inclusive: Create accessible experiences and environments.
Learn More: Educate yourself about the ADA – its history, progress and challenges.
Get Involved: Volunteer or support local organizations that champion people with disabilities.