ADA Anniversary 2023: Celebrating an Accessible World

Thirty-three years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. The ADA protects against discrimination against people with disabilities in public spaces, including the workforce and higher education. This act has helped many persons with disabilities gain access to experiences and opportunities that were once unobtainable due to unjust barriers. This monumental act means a lot for millions of Americans, and even though it has been over three decades since its enactment, the ADA is still as impactful as ever.

Here at APH, we want to celebrate the work we have done to make the world a more accessible place, while still looking toward an even better future.

Creating a More Accessible World

We work hard to create products and resources for blind and low vision students, the educators who support them, adult consumers, and beyond. Whether it’s the free courses the Hive provides for educators on a wide variety of topics across the expanded core curriculum, or the support the ConnectCenter offers for all those who are affected by vision loss (including parents of children who are blind or low vision, job seekers, and aging adults), we strive to make the world a more accessible place through our offerings.

From communications to product and software development, people throughout APH — including those with disabilities, work to help ensure that everything we create is accessible. We believe that the work we do and have done for 165 years has impact beyond the educational sphere, as the more we empower the young, the more likely they will be able to take hold of their future.

The Accessibility Hub

Since its creation, the APH Accessibility Hub has provided a multitude of resources for other companies that want to create a more accessible workplace. These resources include training on accessibility and inclusion, instructions on how to create accessible documents, emails, and so much more.

Looking Toward the Future

While our society has become significantly more accessible to those with disabilities over the past thirty-two years, there is so much room for growth. As we look to the future, we should focus on innovating and creating a world that makes everyone feel welcome. Let’s all work on making the world more accessible together!

 If you would like to learn more about the ADA, check out the official ADA website.

 Also, read a personal story about the ADA from VisionAware.