Looking for 2021 Disability Awareness events?
Visit our Disability Awareness Calendar for 2021.
ADA Turns 30 Spotlight
On July 26th, 1990, George H.W. Bush signed one of the most important pieces of legislation in American history, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 2020 marked the 30th anniversary of the signing of the ADA, and people across the country turned out to remember its intent and to celebrate its progress. However, in looking at how far we have come in the past thirty years it is also important to look to the future. There are still many more improvements to be made to advance accessibility.
ADA Turns 30 – Microassist Perspectives
- ADA Turning 30: Legal and Accessibility Impacts of COVID-19
- The ADA Turns 30 This Month, How Has Accessibility Changed in the Past 30 Years?
- Accessibility in the News (AITN) Six Month Summary: ADA 30th Anniversary Edition
ADA Turns 30 Headlines (Accessibility in the News feature archives)
- July 13, 2020 – Key COVID-19 Accessibility Issues As ADA Turns 30 – Law 360
- July 14, 2020 – The ADA is turning 30, but the built environment is still far from inclusive – Smart Cities Dive
- July 16, 2020 – The ADA 30 Years Later: A Continued Call to Action – The Center for Law and Social Policy
- July 21, 2020– 30 Years Later: How The ADA Changed Life For People With Disabilities – Forbes
- July 22, 2020 – Apple, creatives, and disability rights activists reflect on 30 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act – Apple
- July 22, 2020 – Before the ADA, There Was Section 504 – The New York Times
- December 7, 2020 – Thirty Years Later, Still Fighting Over the ADA – The Regulatory Review
- December 11, 2020 – Furthering the Promise: Increasing Opportunities for Education – U.S. Department of Justice
- December 13, 2020 – Vancouver man, others mark 30th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act – The Columbian
Disability Awareness 2020 Calendar
January
- World Braille Day – January 4
- Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day – January 24
- Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Awareness Day – January 30
February
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day – February 2
- World Cancer Day – February 4
- Anosmia Awareness Day – February 27
- Rare Disease Day – February 28/29
March
- International Wheelchair Day – March 1
- World Down Syndrome Day – March 21
- Purple Day for Epilepsy – March 26
- Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month – March
- Developmental Disabilities Month – March
- Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month – March
April
- World Autism Awareness Day – April 2
- World Bohring-Opitz Syndrome Awareness Day – April 6
- Cusing’s Disease Awareness Day – April 8
- World Parkinson’s Day – April 11
- Parkinson’s Awareness Month – April
- Autism Awareness Month – April
May
- Spotlight: Global Accessibility Awareness Day | 05/21/2020 Thursday, May 21, 2020, marks the ninth Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access/inclusion and people with different disabilities. Visit globalaccessibilityawarenessday.org for more details and ways to participate.
- International Cri du Chat Awareness Day – May 5
- UK Deaf Awareness Week – May 4 – 10
- Fibromyalgia Awareness Day – May 12
- World Multiple Sclerosis Day – May 30
- ALS Awareness Month – May
- Mental Health Awareness Month – May
- Arthritis Awareness Month – May
- National Mobility Awareness Month – May
- National Stroke Awareness Month – May
June
- Autistic Pride Day – June 18
- Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day – June 23
- National PTSD Awareness Day – June 27
- Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month – June
- Dravet Syndrome Awareness Month – June
- Cataract Awareness Month – June
July
- Disability Awareness Day – July 14
- American Disabilities Act 30th Anniversary (aka National Disability Independence Day) – July 26
- Williams Syndrome Awareness Month – July
August
- International Assistance Dog Week – Begins the First Sunday in August
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month – August
- National Purple Heart Day – August 7
September
- Color Blindness Awareness Day – September 6
- World Alzheimer’s day – September 21
- International Week of the Deaf 2020 – September 21
- International Day of Sign Languages – September 23
- Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Day – September 30
- National Guide Dog Month – September
- World Alzheimer’s Month – September
October
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month – October
- 2020 marks not only the 75th observance of NDEAM, but also the 30th anniversary of the ADA. Both milestones are being commemorated with a range of events and activities centered on the theme “Increasing Access and Opportunity.” For more details on events and resources visit the US Department of Labor website.
- World Cerebral Palsy Day – October 6
- Dyslexia Awareness Week – October 7-13
- World Sight Day – October 10
- World Mental Health Day – October 10
- World Sight Day – October 10
- White Cane Awareness Day – October 15
- Invisible Disabilities Week – October 18-24
- Down Syndrome Awareness Month – October
- Spina Bifida Awareness Month – October
November
- International Stress Awareness Week – November 2-6
- Global Usability Day – November 12
- World Diabetes Day – November 14
- World COPD Day – November 21
- Epilepsy Awareness Month – November
- Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month – November
December
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities – December 3
Last updated: 01/07/2021
Subscribe to Accessibility in the News
Stay informed! Get your weekly update on digital accessibility standards, private and public sector trends, litigation, events, and more.