Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark legislation aimed at promoting greater participation for Americans with disabilities across society. At the signing of this legislation, President George H.W. Bush stated, “let the shameful walls of exclusion finally come tumbling down.” The ADA continues to influence disability inclusion in various sectors, including President Biden’s Executive Order 14035 on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the Federal Workforce; Secretary Blinken’s Modernization Agenda; and the U.S. Department of State’s DEIA Strategic Plan.
The U.S. Department of State remains committed to promoting disability inclusion both domestically and internationally. Internally, it has surpassed its Agency Priority Goal for hiring and retaining employees with disabilities, increasing their representation from 14.6% to 19.6% over the past three years. Externally, it engages with international partners to promote respect for the rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities worldwide.
As this ADA anniversary is celebrated, there is a renewed commitment to advancing the rights of the disability community and reinforcing efforts to create more accessible, equitable, and inclusive societies globally. According to a statement from the State Department: "The State Department is stronger, our country is safer, and Americans are more prosperous and more secure because of the efforts of people with disabilities."
