20 years ago today, President George H. W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act.
During the signing ceremony, Bush thanked democrats and republicans alike, for working together on the first ever civil rights law enacted for people with disabilities.
The ADA, National Network, says nearly one in six Americans have some form of physical or mental impairment that limits their activities, or makes them dependent on others.
Last year Good Will Dayton served over 10,000 people with disabilities.
Kim Bramlage with Easter Seals Miami Valley says more people can be helped but many don't know about the work Good Will is doing locally.
"Work training program, employment training and career development programs. We also do a great deal of work with people with hearing loss, vision loss - any individual who needs assistance in some way or another. And if you're not sure where to go for help, we're the first place you should contact. If we don't offer a service, we'll tell you who does."
Bramlage says about 40% of Good Will's employees have a disability, but nationally the disabled still face challenges finding jobs and becoming independent. The U.S. Department of Labor reports a 14-percent unemployment rate for people with disabilities.
