The Americans with Disabilities Act turns 20 years old today. NCTI recognizes the significant work that this legislation has made for people with disabilities and our society. At the same time, we urge the accessibility community to continue to advocate for more inclusive environments (physical and online) and an increased rate of employment for individuals with disabilities.

Kareem Dale, associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and a special assistant to President Obama on disability policy, reflects on the 20th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, a far-reaching measure that enacted a series of changes improving public access for people with disabilities and protecting them from discrimination. In an interview with the Washington Post’s Ed O’Keefe, Dale speaks about the law’s impact on federal policy and the general public.

Read the interview

See excerpts from speeches on these topics from the 2009 NCTI Technology Innovators Conference:

Kareem Dale
Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President, Disability Policy, shares how assistive technology becomes a personal relationship and lifeline for individuals with disabilities.

John Kemp

What is the connection between accessible technology and the low employment numbers for adults with disabilities? John Kemp addressed this connection in the 2009 conference keynote address on the Federal Perspective on Technology and Innovation.