On a breezy July day in 1990, Joni Eareckson Tada joined fellow advocates from the National Council on Disability to witness a historic moment: President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA). For Joni, this was more than legislation—it was the culmination of tireless work that could open doors for millions of Americans with disabilities. Listen as Joni reflects on the power of the law compared to the power of the Gospel: while the law can change discriminatory structures, the Gospel is the only thing that can change hearts, bringing about culture change that provides true belonging for people living with disability.
Discover more about Joni’s heart on the ADA: Did The Americans With Disabilities Act Really Guarantee Change? | Joni and Friends
At a celebratory reception after the signing of the ADA, Joni recalls hearing these words spoken by colleague Paul Hearne:
“[The ADA] will provide greater access to public accommodation. Wheelchair users will no longer have to be carried up the steps of a restaurant. And one day buses across America will be outfitted with mechanical lifts. There’ll be no barriers to public transportation…. But the ADA will not change the heart of the employer. The law will not change the heart of the maître de in the restaurant.”
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Stephanie Daniels:
Hi friends! I’m your host, Stephanie Daniels, and you’re listening to the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast. We’re sharing hope as we answer real questions about disability. Join us every week for an honest and encouraging conversation, along with practical ways to include people with disability in your church and community. So, grab a seat, and let’s jump in!
On a breezy July day, Joni Eareckson Tada joined fellow advocates from the National Council on Disability to witness a historic moment. President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act. This law is also known as the ADA.
For Joni, this was way more than legislation. It was the culmination of tireless work that could open doors for millions of Americans with disabilities. For so many people who often felt overlooked, or even like an afterthought, the ADA said, “You belong. This world was made for you too.” As we listen to Joni reflect on that monumental day, I'm reminded why this moment still matters.
This month marks 35 years since the ADA's passage on July 26th, 1990. As we celebrate the incredible progress made. We also recognize that true inclusion goes far beyond ramps, elevators, and accessible parking spaces. As Joni shares, the ADA can change laws, but only God can change hearts.
We are so thankful that Jesus does just that, transforming our hearts to love sacrificially, to serve humbly, and to embrace all people as image bearers of God.
In Christ, there is no division. He levels the playing field and gives everyone access to himself as we trust in him. No more back doors, no more barriers. He welcomes us and teaches us to welcome others in our churches, workplaces, and communities. 35 years later, the ADA was just the beginning.
Join me in all of us at Joni and Friends in praising God for how far we've come, and in praying for how far we still need to go. Pray that God would stir the hearts of government leaders, business owners, and church communities to ensure people with disabilities have full access to all areas of life, to be embraced, even celebrated. Let's ask him to tear down the walls of division and open our eyes to opportunities in our own lives so that every person with a disability can find hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ.
Joni Eareckson Tada:
Years ago, I was so honored when President Ronald Reagan appointed me to become a member of the National Council on Disability. And one of the very first initiatives we worked on was a draft of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Oh, my goodness, what a privilege to be part of that. Because for too long, Americans with disabilities had been dealing with barriers to jobs, transportation, and even places like theaters, restaurants, and museums.
But our council, we worked hard on that first draft of the ADA. On a breezy July day in 1990, we gathered with other advocates on the White House lawn to watch President George H. W. Bush to sign the ADA into law. I sat there in my wheelchair, dreaming of all the possibilities for people like me.
After the ceremony, our council hosted a reception during which our director, Paul Hearne, wheeled to the front to propose a toast. Paul, a seasoned advocate, had brittle bone disease and used a three-wheeled scooter, and when he turned to face our group, the room fell quiet. And I will never forget his words.
He considered his drink for a moment, and then said, “This is a wonderful day. This landmark civil rights legislation will open a great door of access to all Americans with disabilities. Discriminatory employment policies will soon be a thing of the past. And it'll mean that qualified people with disabilities will enjoy greater access to good jobs.
And this law will also set new standards for constructing buildings. It'll provide greater access to public accommodation. Wheelchair users will no longer have to be carried up the steps of a restaurant. And one day, buses across America will be outfitted with mechanical lifts. There'll be no barriers to public transportation.”
Paul then took a deep breath and proceeded, “But the ADA will not change the heart of the employer. This law will not change the heart of the maître d’ in the restaurant. It will not change the hearts of architects or people in the building industry. And this law will not change the heart of the bus driver.”
He then lifted his glass and he said, “Here's to changed hearts.” And tears overflowed my eyes as I realized that that's what God does. Christians have the message that'll change people's hearts. The government can't do it, neither can federal laws. Only Jesus Christ can transform hearts and attitudes. And it was, for me, a transforming moment, a follower of Jesus who had been called to serve him in the disability community.
The Americans with Disabilities Act could only become ingrained in American culture through the process of complaint and compliance. It's kind of like a mechanistic process. It forces, it forces the transformation of social institutions.
But it doesn't necessarily improve attitudes, or uproot prejudice or discrimination. Education and disability awareness may raise disability awareness, but even that only goes so far. It does not make a disadvantaged class of persons valued, or even celebrated.
But Christians, we've got the message that'll change people's hearts.
The government can't do it. Neither can federal laws. Only Jesus Christ can transform hearts and attitudes. And even so, we can be thankful that over the last decades, many ADA mandates have been accomplished. We have come such a long way since the days when Paul Hearne and I, and millions like us, we had to wheel down back alleys past dumpsters to get into the back doors of restaurants and make our way to our table.
But today, I can just roll my wheelchair into a building with ease. My friend who is blind can walk into a museum with her service dog. Children with autism have access to special education programs. There is immense cause for celebration. And I'll tell you what, much remains to be done. Regulations and enforcements provide the impetus for change, but only the Gospel of Christ transforms the character of individuals and nations.
You know, they say that access is having a ramp to the table and mainstreaming is having a seat at the table. Inclusion is having a voice at the table. But true embrace, that's being heard at the table. We will only hear and embrace people with disabilities when character is transformed on a personal and on a national level.
Ephesians 2:14 declares, “For Christ himself is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” I envision a society and a church in which all people with disabilities are truly celebrated when the dividing wall comes down. And it happens when families that deal with disability are happily celebrated.
It’s why encourage you to join Joni and Friends in celebrating the ADA by asking God to work in the heart of your church. Need help in making that happen? Well, Joni and Friends stands ready to assist with resources and training, because we envision a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. And who knows? It may well begin in your church.
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