Governor Celebrates ADA Anniversary

Governor Sonny Perdue recognized the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act with a proclamation at the GeorgiaState Capitol this week. Read the proclamation below and learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act on the State ADA Coordinator's Office website.

THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 20TH ANNIVERSARY

WHEREAS: This month we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in education, employment, government services, and at places of public accommodation, commercial facilities and in other important areas of society; and

WHEREAS: The ADA represents a milestone in equality, modeled after the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and is considered the first affirmation for equal treatment under the law for Americans with mental and physical disabilities; and

WHEREAS: There are important successes to celebrate.  Since its enactment, the ADA has begun to make a difference - it has brought the principle of disability civil rights into the mainstream of public policy.  The law, coupled with the disability rights movement that made it possible, has started to reshape the way Americans perceive disability; however

WHEREAS: To further the ADA’s mandates we must remain vigilant to the ADA’s core goals of equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency, and our state is proud to renew our pledge to help advance the cause of disability right; now

THEREFORE: I, SONNY PERDUE, Governor of the State of Georgia, do hereby recognize the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and celebrate the progress that has been made by reaffirming the principals of equality and inclusion and recommitting the State’s efforts to reach full ADA compliance.

In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Executive Department to be affixed this 28 day of July in the year of our Lord two thousand ten.