The University of Alabama at Birmingham Disability Support Services office will host a special event on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, from 2-3 p.m., to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—a landmark civil rights law that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. President George H.W. Bush signed the bill into law on July 26, 1990. It was later amended in 2008 and signed by President George W. Bush. The event will be held in the Hill Student Center Performance Lounge.

Although, legal protections for disabled Americans were enacted in 1990, UAB began supporting its students with disabilities shortly after being founded. UAB established an office to support students with disabilities in 1979. This office was later named Disability Support Services (DSS). DSS continues to provide services and accommodation to ensure equal access to education for UAB students with disabilities.

The celebration will highlight the progress made in accessibility since the ADA’s signing in 1990, recognize the impact of UAB’s Disability Support Services / ADA Office, and reaffirm the university’s commitment to building an accessible and inclusive campus for all students, faculty, and staff.

The event is being sponsored by DSS, the Office of Access & Engagement and UAB’s AWARE Program.

Learn more at uab.edu/students/disability. To request accommodations for this event please contact the DSS Office at (205) 934-4205 or dss@uab.edu.