On June 26, 1990, George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. The ADA is a wide ranging civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, services, and access to public spaces. It is one of ten major laws that effect the rights of people with disabilities (what are the others?).

To celebrate the 19th anniversary, we’re reintroducing the NIDRR projects and centers that conduct research on the ADA and other disability rights legislation. They also provide assistance to people with disabilities, business, agencies, and other parties whose rights and responsibilities are outlined in this landmark legislation.

The ADA Information Centers

NIDRR funds ten regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers. They all have the same phone number: 800/949-4ADA (4232). The DBTACs have been around as long as the ADA. They provide training and consultation services to business and agencies. They assist people with disabilities in advocating for their rights. They publish guides, fact sheets, training materials, newsletters, and a myriad of other resources. Check out their websites (don’t just visit your own, they’re all great!):

• New England ADA Center. Check out their videos of Student Voices.
• DBTAC Northeast. We love their “Dear ADA” section featuring real letters with real ADA questions.
• MidAtlantic ADA Center. They have a great section for youth with disabilities.
• Southeast ADA Center. Good section of recursos en Español.
• Great Lakes DBTAC. Started an audioconference series in 1999.
• Southwest DBTAC. Researching the hospitality industry.
• Great Plains ADA Center. Follow them on Twitter.
• Rocky Mountain ADA Center. Check out their webstore for signs, posters, and multimedia.
• Pacific DBTAC. Fill out their survey, get a free hat!
• DBTAC Northwest. We like their architect and contractor toolkit.

The coordinating center for the DBTACs has put together an excellent 19th Anniversary Toolkit available at http://adaanniversary.org/index.html. For a comprehensive list of training videos, podcasts, conferences, toolkits, manuals, and publications from these centers, visit http://www.adata.org/training/index.html

You might find these resources interesting, too:

The ADA Home Page from the US Dept. of Justice with links to other agencies and departments.

Current and previously funded research projects on the ADA.

ADA articles, books, and newsletters in NARIC’s collection (more than 1000!).