Reflections on the ADA: Past, Present and Future (7-30-19)

2020 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark civil rights legislation impacted the lives of millions of people with disabilities in the United States through improved access to employment, government services and programs, and goods and services from businesses. This session features two unique perspectives on the evolution, current status, and future direction of the law. Disability rights attorney, John Wodatch, served 42 years in the Federal government, where he co-authored the ADA’s comprehensive disability rights regulations and created and led the Department of Justice’s section in charge of enforcing the law. As the former director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, Marian Vessels brings her professional experience educating governments, businesses and individuals on rights and responsibilities under the ADA. She also provides her personal perspective as an individual with a disability before and after the ADA’s passage. Join us for a lively discussion of the ADA’s history, enforcement and significance in our communities.