About the Americans with Disabilities Act

A series of court rulings and laws that began in the 1950s and '60s gave rise to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a landmark in prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities.

Before that era, many children with disabilities were excluded from public schools, physical barriers as simple as a stair step or a heavy door barred entry to public places and jobs were closed to millions of people.

Many changes since then, from curb cuts at crosswalks to elevators in public buildings, improved life for everyone from parents with strollers to business people with heavy briefcases.

But for people with disabilities, the ADA brought a "bright new era of equality, freedom and independence," President Barack Obama said in marking the anniversary.

While noting challenges with enforcement and interpretation of the law remain, Obama added, "Thanks to the ADA, the places that comprise our shared American life - schools, workplaces, movie theaters, courthouses, buses, baseball stadiums, national parks - they truly belong to everyone."