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

The Disability Community

Within a few weeks the ADA will become the law of the land because of the vision of the disability community. You knew in your hearts what we now write into law—that discrimination based on fear, ignorance, prejudice, and indifference is wrong. . . . The ADA is first and foremost the outcome of the extraordinary efforts of the disability community. This is your bill, and you earned it.
Senator Tom Harkin³

3. Tom Harkin, statement, Cong. Rec., v. 136 (July 13, 1990), p. S9689.