Smithsonian Commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act With Three-Day Festival

The Smithsonian is hosting “Festival ADA: 25 Years of Disability Rights” to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The festival takes place July 24–26 from noon to 5 p.m. on the terrace of the National Museum of American History. All events are free and accessible.

The festival is part of the 25/40 Celebration, which is a partnership between the Smithsonian and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The festival will feature a variety of events and demonstrations. On the discussion stage, visitors can listen to moderated panel discussions on a variety of topics such as the history and passage of the ADA, employment rights and deaf space and architecture. The discussion stage also will host a dance performance by AXIS Dance Co., American Sign Language storytelling by Mario Hernandez and a performance by musician Blessing Offor. 

The demonstration area will include exhibits on accessible travel, community living, service dogs and accessible communications. In the family activities area, children can make postcards with the National Postal Museum and participate in music, theater and dance workshops.

On Sunday, July 26, the festival kicks off with a party—and a visit from the ADA25 Legacy Bus—to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Act.

For more information about the festival and other events commemorating the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and VSA, visit www.2540celebration.com.

Events at the National Museum of American History

The National Museum of American History is also commemorating the ADA with an exhibition and several events, including:

• “The Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990–2015”—This exhibition features objects from the national collections that capture the significance and legacy of the Act through the stories of four people. On view through Dec. 17
• “Cabinet of Curiosities: How Disability Was Kept in a Box”—Actor and performance artist Mat Fraser performs in this one-person, original piece. It is equal parts cabaret, incisive lecture and humorous commentary. Includes mature content. July 22 at 8 p.m.; West Wing Performance Space
• “Conversations on Latinos and the ADA”—Professors, activists and professionals from around the country offer their takes on the historical and cultural issues related to how disability has been understood among Latinos in the United States. July 24 from noon to 5 p.m.; Warner Bros. Theater
• Disability Film Festival—The museum screens three documentary films made by or about people with disabilities. Following each film, a curator moderates a lively conversation among the audience, directors, historians and others connected to the production. Captioned, audio described, ASL. July 25 from 10:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Warner Bros. Theater

For a full list of events at the museum, visit www.americanhistory.si.edu/ADA25.

About the Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law July 26, 1990, and prohibits discrimination based on disability. The passing of the ADA changed the lives of millions of people in the United States by ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunity and access to employment, transportation, public accommodation and activities of state and local governments. 

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SI-348-2015