Kirk Statement on 25th Anniversary of the Signing of The Americans with Disabilities Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) released the following statement to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in the United States. The law also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to their employees who have a disability.

“I know firsthand how important this law is to elevating the independence of the 50 million Americans living with a disability. My Battle Buddies have shown me that everyone has their own stairs to climb, and laws like the ADA allow all Americans to live life on their own terms,” said Senator Kirk

“The passage of the ADA in 1990 was not a stand-alone event but a victory that resounds every day throughout the world. That people on different sides could unite to encode disability rights as civil rights, and that those civil rights could be refined and added on to, that is a tremendous promise. We should seize upon the anniversary of the ADA to honor the struggle of people with disabilities, celebrate victories, and plan for the future,” said Amber Smock, Director of Advocacy at Access Living, a disability rights and services organization based in Chicago.

Earlier this year, Senator Kirk created “Kirk’s Battle Buddies,” a support group to offer inspiration for individuals who have disabilities. Through physical challenges like stair climbs, Senator Kirk has encouraged the group members to set goals to work towards as they continue their recoveries. Together, the Battle Buddies have completed five stair climbs throughout Illinois, and have met with and encouraged new group members along the way.