The month of July is significant regarding the celebration of individuals with disabilities, and recognition of disability rights. During this month, Olinsky Law Group has been proud to honor Disability Pride Month, in addition to shining light on the history and 35th anniversary milestone of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being passed.

Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July, honoring the achievements, challenges and uniqueness of people with disabilities. Acknowledging disability as an essential aspect of human diversity, the yearly observance promotes inclusion by valuing and appreciating individuals with disabilities for who they are. Acting as a symbol for the celebration, the pride flag has five colors, each representing different types of disabilities—and it was redesigned in 2021 to be more accessible to people with visual and neurological sensitivities. Besides recognizing the experiences of individuals with disabilities during this month, July additionally commemorates the signing of the ADA.

July 26, 2025, will mark the 35th anniversary of the ADA being passed. The anniversary celebrates the historic advancement of disability rights, while also providing the opportunity to further promote equality for individuals with disabilities. Prior to the law being passed, the discussion and activism in support of disability rights transpired over many years and remains an important advocating point today. When celebrating a remarkable milestone, it is imperative to highlight both the history of the law, and significance behind not only the progress made, but notably, acknowledging the importance of continued advocacy in the years ahead.

The ADA National Network defines the law as, “a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in many areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and many public and private places that are open to the general public.” Similar to other landmark civil rights laws, the ADA is designed to safeguard the rights of people living with disabilities by ensuring they have equal access, opportunities and protections.

The ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, signifying a monumental point in disability rights history. However, as previously stated, the movement and conversation behind disability rights transpired long before the law was officially passed. A few historic moments prior to the ADA being passed include, the Disability Rights Movement commencing in the 1960s, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 being passed, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act passed in 1975, among various other court rulings and more.

Ultimately, disability rights advocates and groups fought for years in support of disability equality prior to the law being officially passed. Creating a strong voice enforcing change, the efforts and dedication of these activists not only played a major role in the historic law itself, but have undoubtedly continued to shape the current conversation and initiatives behind disability rights advocacy.

It has been reported that more than 1 in 4 adults in the United States live with some type of disability. Impacting well over millions of Americans, the ADA stands as one of the most significant legal victories in the fight for disability equality. The 35th anniversary serves as a reminder of the legal victory in support of the millions living with disabilities.

The anniversary not only highlights the notable legal achievement, but it also presents the opportunity to further promote equality today. The law represents a turning point in history, however even 35 years later, the conversation behind disability rights and recognizing its importance remains a focus today and heavily aligns with the mission of Olinsky Law Group. The Olinsky Law Group team is devoted to each client, helping them understand their own disability rights while navigating the system. Managing Partner, Howard Olinsky takes pride in assisting individuals with disabilities. When asked why he solely practices this area of law, he says, “I went to law school to help the little people.” At the beginning of his career, he practiced other kinds of law but grew tired of it and through disability law, he found a way to help real people with real needs. From a young age, Howard has been on a mission to help people with disabilities and worked five summers at a camp for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. As a result of his past experiences, he is now entering his 35th year concentrating on disability law, providing strong representation for his clients, while also aiming to improve how the system operates.

35 years of the ADA is a significant landmark and today honors the legal achievement, while providing the opportunity to promote equality even many years later. In addition to enforcing equality for the millions of individuals living with a disability, the ADA also represents a pivotal point in the history of disability rights and is symbolic of the activism and efforts displayed spanning from before the law was passed to today. The anniversary is an added reminder of those efforts and its importance, not only to celebrate how far disability rights have advanced, however, how critical it is to continue conversations in the years to come. The Olinsky Law Group proudly recognizes Disability Pride Month and this milestone, in addition to each achievement made throughout history. This month especially, the entire firm is reminded of the magnitude behind practicing this area of law, continuing to advocate for individuals with disabilities while helping them navigate the benefits process.

To read more on the ADA and anniversary celebrations, click here.