LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Ameri-
cans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 2010

WHEREAS, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law
on July 26, 1990, to ensure the civil rights of citizens with disabili-
ties; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body affirms the principles of equality and
inclusion for persons with disabilities as set forth for the State of
New York and is embodied in the ADA; and
WHEREAS, An individual with a disability is a person who has a phys-
ical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major
life activity; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as
having such an impairment; and
WHEREAS, According to the ADA National Network, over 54 million Ameri-
cans with physical or mental impairments that substantially limit daily
activities are protected under the ADA; these activities include work-
ing, walking, talking, seeing, hearing, or caring for oneself; people
who have a record of such an impairment and those regarded as having an
impairment are also protected; and
WHEREAS, The ADA bans discrimination and offers protections to people
with disabilities in the areas of employment, public/government
services, public accommodations, transportation and telecommunications;
and
WHEREAS, When the ADA was signed into law twenty years ago, it was
hailed as a great victory in the movement to protect and enforce civil
rights for people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Numerous organizations in the State of New York work with
constituents and communities to bring forth the promise of hope, free-
dom, independence and integration that was envisioned by the passage of
the ADA; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, over the last several years, the New York State
Legislature has worked tirelessly on behalf of people with disabilities
to add federal ADA protections into State law; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body has long held the tradition of standing
by all of the protections offered to people with disabilities under the
ADA; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) on July 26, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to organizations serving people with disabilities throughout the
State of New York.