A Tribute to Eunice Shriver on the 19th Year Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

We say goodbye to Eunice Shriver, founder of Special Olympics, during the 19 year anniversary of the ADA (American with Disabilities Act), a law that ensures the civil rights of people with disabilities. People with disabilities, advocates, family members of individuals with disabilities, disability leaders and legislators might reflect and say, historically, Special Olympics was another step leading toward the development of this landmark legislation.

Special Oylmpics generated opportunity in sports for persons with intellectual disabilities. Eunice Shriver's vision for expanded opportunities was more fully realized with passage of the ADA, expanding integration into society for all people with disabilities.

The ADA, a culmination of years of legislative and disability grassroots action, ensures access to equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in such critical areas as employment, public services, public accommodations, education, transportation, recreation, and voting.

Thanks to the actions of Eunice, legislators and disability grassroots advocates, you are now as likely to see a person with a disability in your workplace as you are in sports.

Oce Harrison, Ed.D. Project Director
The New England ADA Center, A project of the Institute for Human Centered Design
Boston, Massachusetts

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