07/26/2026
Reflecting on a significant moment from 36 years ago, I stood on the White House lawn as George HW Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. It was an incredible day. At that time, I was with American Airlines, serving on a committee with the Air Transport Association (ATA) to enhance air travel accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Good access to air travel was crucial for anyone aiming for success in their careers, enabling many to break through the glass ceiling that hindered personal achievements.
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) was signed into law in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan, but its enforcement requirements were adopted by the Department of Justice in 1990, coinciding with the signing of the ADA.
Collaborating with the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the driving force behind the disability movement, alongside the ATA, the US Access Board, the National Center on Disability, and then Senators Bob Dole and Tom Harkin, who sponsored the ACAA and ADA respectively, was the honor of my lifetime.
We've lost a lot of instrumental people since then but I hope they rest in peace knowing the difference they made.
In some ways, it feels like a lifetime ago, yet in others, it feels like just yesterday. Witnessing these laws continue to transform the world still brings warmth to my heart.
