Remembering George H.W. Bush as a champion for those with disabilities

December 1, 2018

PennLive.com (December 1)

Over decades of public service, President George H.W. Bush’s work to improve the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities may be one of his more overlooked accomplishments.

But it may be one of the most enduring legacies of Bush’s presidency. And it’s gaining fresh attention in the wake of Bush’s passing. He died Friday at age 94.

On July 26, 1990, Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law which has helped millions of people. The law prohibits discrimination against those with disabilities and helps ensure opportunities for employment. According to the Census Bureau, there are about 40 million Americans with disabilities.

“Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down,” Bush said when he signed the law in 1990.

“This historic act is the world’s first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities -- the first,” Bush said when he signed the ADA. He also urged businesses to take advantage of “untapped human potential” by hiring those with disabilities.

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