On this month’s corporate communications conference call, we were joined by Linda Mastandrea, Regional Director of ADA Planning and Local Safety at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency to share the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the spirit of disability pride with the team.

Signed into law on July 26, 1990, the ADA prohibits discrimination against those with disabilities and ensures they have the same rights and opportunities as other Americans. Therefore, for the past 32 years, people across the county have recognized July as Disability PrideMonth.

“The celebration of this law, this civil rights legislation, opened people’s eyes, conversation, and opportunity for people to learn from each other,” said Linda. “That is the most important part of the law. It asks how we can include and engage people with disabilities?”

“It’s about creating the kind of community and spaces where we want to be, making them as available, open, welcoming as we can is the intention of the law and the spirit of the law. That is what encompasses the notion of disability pride,” she said.

Linda is an attorney, Paralympic champion, subject matter expert on disability law, and a published author. She has taught disability law and lectured nationwide on the ADA and other disability laws.

We appreciate Linda sharing her expertise and passion with us.