Equality of Opportunity: The Making of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Changing the World

We are sent here by our constituents to change the world for the better. And today we have the opportunity to do that. . . . Many have asked: “Why are we doing this for the disabled?” My answer is twofold. As Americans, our inherent belief is that there is a place for everyone in our society, and that place is as a full participant, not a bystander. The second answer is less lofty. It is steeped in the reality of the world as we know it today. If, as we all suspect, the next great world competition will be in the marketplace rather than the battlefield, we need the help of every American. . . . We cannot afford to ignore millions of Americans who want to contribute.
Congressman Steny H. Hoyer⁴

4. Congressman Steny H. Hoyer, statement, Cong. Rec., v. 136 (May 17, 1990), pp. 2427 (first sentence), 2426 (second sentence).