For Immediate Release
Date: December 6, 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
VAN NUYS, Calif. — December 6, 2021 — The Board of Directors, Staff and Clients of the Independent Living Center of Southern California offer their sincere condolences on the passing of the Honorable Bob Dole.
In 1990, Robert Dole, a wounded WWII Veteran, who never regained the use of his right arm, advocated for disability rights and was a major supporter of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), one of his proudest achievements. Dole stated, “Having a disability changes your whole life, not just your attitude…one thing I will always remember is the sight of all the wheelchairs on the White House lawn when President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law.”
On July 16, 1990, more than 3,000 people attended the signing ceremony on the White House lawn, when President George H. W. Bush signed the bill into law. Bob Dole stated: “This historic civil rights legislation seeks to end the unjustified segregation and exclusion of persons with disabilities from the mainstream of American life… the ADA is fair and balanced legislation that carefully blends the rights of people with disabilities… with the legitimate needs of the American business community.”
Throughout his career he advocated for persons with disabilities. In 1989 he founded the Dole Foundation, an organization that helps people with disabilities find employment.
In 1997 the ILCSC had the opportunity to recognize and honor Robert Dole for his outstanding work in promoting independence for persons with disabilities. He worked to institute equality, employment, and also accessibility. This has had a profound and positive effect upon the independence of people with disabilities that the ILCSC serves in Southern California throughout the years.
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For More Information on the Americans with Disabilities Act, please visit the Pacific ADA Center:
https://www.adapacific.org/faq (click link)
