July 26 marks the 23rd anniversary of a landmark event in our nation’s history: the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Like other civil rights legislation that came before it, the ADA works to ensure a more inclusive America, one where more people have the freedom to lead full lives, pursue their dreams and reach their greatest potential. It also reaffirms the inherent value of one of our core national assets: our diversity.
From its earliest days, America’s strength has derived not from the commonalities of its people, but rather their differences. That’s because diversity drives innovation.
The same concept applies in business. Research tells us that groups outperform individuals − even brilliant individuals − working independently. Even further, groups representing a range of perspectives outperform those with superior, but similar, skill sets. By fostering a corporate culture respectful of individual differences, including disabilities, businesses benefit from varied approaches to confronting challenges and achieving success. That’s why many of today’s most successful companies proudly deem diversity to be a core value.
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DOL's Kathy Martinez is the assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy.
This information is intended to be
educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.
