Councilor Cannon Offers Resolution To Honor 30th Anniversary of Americans With Disabilities Act

FRAMINGHAM – The Americans with Disability Act celebrated 30 years on July 26, 2020. District 4 City Councilor Michael Cannon has submitted a resolution to the full 11-member Framingham city Council for adoption at at its next meeting on Tuesday, August 4.

The resolution is below:

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THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, AND URGING FURTHER ACTION TOWARD ACCESSABILITY WITHIN THE CITY OF FRAMINGHAM

WHEREAS – July 26, 2020 marked the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“the ADA”);

WHEREAS – prior to the enactment of the ADA, individuals with disabilities were too often denied the opportunity to fully participate in society due to ignorance, misunderstanding, intolerance, or unfair stereotypes;

WHEREAS – the dedicated efforts of courageous and passionate disability rights advocates served to awaken government leaders and the American people to the discrimination and prejudice that individuals with disabilities face;

WHEREAS – the purpose of the ADA is to fulfill the goals of opportunity, independent living, integration, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities who live in the United States;

WHEREAS – the Americans with Disabilities Act: prohibits employers from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities; requires that State and local governmental entities accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities; requires a place of public accommodation to take reasonable steps to ensure that the goods and services it provides are accessible to individuals
with disabilities; and requires new trains and buses to be accessible to individuals with disabilities;

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WHEREAS – the ADA has played a historic role in allowing more than 61,000,000 persons with disabilities in the United States to better participate in society by removing barriers to employment, public services, telecommunications, transportation, and public accommodations;

WHEREAS – the ADA has served as a model for disability rights in other countries;

WHEREAS – every individual in the United States, not just those with disabilities, benefits from the accommodations that have become commonplace since the passage of the ADA, including curb cuts at street intersections, ramps for access to buildings, and other accommodations that provide access to public transportation, telecommunications, voting machines, and websites;

WHEREAS – 30 years after the enactment of the ADA, it remains a crucial tool, as children and adults with disabilities still experience barriers that interfere with their full participation in life in the United States;

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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED — that the City Council of Framingham, Massachusetts recognizes and honors the 30th anniversary of the date of enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; and celebrates the advancement of freedom and the expansion of opportunity made possible by the enactment of the ADA; and further asks the administration to work collaboratively with the City Council, Disability Commission, School Committee and the community at-large toward further advancement in accessibility for
persons with disabilities in the City of Framingham.

Offered by Councilor Michael P. Cannon of District 4
26 July 2020