WHEREAS, in 1986, the National Council on Disability released the landmark report, Toward Independence: An Assessment of Federal Laws and Programs Affecting Persons with Disabilities—With Legislative Recommendations, which underscored the need for comprehensive federal legislation to protect the civil rights of individuals with disabilities; and  

WHEREAS, the recommendations set forth in Toward Independence: An Assessment of Federal Laws and Programs Affecting Persons with Disabilities—With Legislative Recommendations informed the drafting of the original Americans with Disabilities Act, laying the foundation for landmark civil rights protections for individuals with disabilities; and 

WHEREAS, to safeguard the civil rights of individuals with disabilities, Congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, establishing comprehensive protections against discrimination and advancing equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency; and 

WHEREAS, the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act was made possible through the tireless advocacy of disability rights champions, including the historic "Capitol Crawl," a powerful demonstration that brought national attention to the barriers posed by inaccessible public spaces and the urgent need for equal access for individuals with disabilities; and 

WHEREAS, Virginia is home to nearly two million people with disabilities, accounting for 28.7 percent of all Virginians, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and these individuals play an integral role in our workforce, communities, and families; and 

WHEREAS, numerous organizations and state agencies across Virginia work tirelessly alongside constituents and communities to advance the promise of hope, freedom, and equal opportunity envisioned by the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act making the Commonwealth more accessible, inclusive, and equitable for all; and 

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth celebrates and recognizes the progress that has been made by reaffirming the principles of equality and inclusion and recommitting our efforts to reach full ADA compliance; 

NOW THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize July 26, 2026, as the 36th ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.