It is estimated that one in five Americans is living with a disability.
July 26, 2015 marked the 25th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Tremendous changes have occurred in workplaces throughout America since the passage of the ADA. The focus has turned to people’s abilities rather than disabilities, identifying and removing barriers to access rather than ignoring them, and providing reasonable workplace accommodations rather than denying employment opportunities. The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) established the Office of Compliance (OOC) to administer workplace laws like the ADA for employees and visitors to the Capitol complex.
Office of Compliance and the ADA: Improving Access
For Legislative Branch employees, both on the Hill and in state and district offices, the OOC provides resources for understanding ADA rights under the CAA. The OOC works cooperatively with the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to improve access for those with hearing, vision, and physical disabilities whether they are meeting a Member of Congress, visiting the Botanic Garden, or simply touring the Capitol grounds. The OOC inspects Legislative Branch facilities, including buildings, offices, sidewalks, and entrances, and recommends solutions for removing barriers to public and employee access.
Congressional Support for the ADA and Disability Awareness on the Hill
Fifty-four Members of the House sit on the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, championing the rights of people with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities every day. There is strong support for the ADA from Members of both the House and Senate. Many Members have personal experiences with disabilities themselves and connections to others with disabilities. Today, Members and staff alike are benefiting from rights afforded to them by the ADA under the CAA. In addition to increased governmental focus on public access issues, other organizations such as the MS Society and the National Federation for the Blind connect Members of Congress with the public by holding awareness events on Capitol Hill.
