JEFFERSON CITY, MO (KMOX) - Thirty years ago a major piece of civil rights legislation was signed into law.
"Disability is one of the largest minority groups in the nation. Almost one in four individuals has some sort of a disability or could become disabled in their lifetime," says Claudia Browner, Director of the Governor's Council on Disability in Missouri.
Browner says one of the most visible impacts of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) is on access to buildings and public spaces.
The law prohibits discrimination based on mental or physical disability.
Some advocates say the work is not done, especially when it comes to accommodations that would increase educational and occupational opportunities.
Browner says some of the biggest changes in the next decade may come as a result of technology, "For instance website accessibility. I think technology has come a long way. I think we will see even more things, like driverless automobiles and different inventions that we can't even fathom at this point, that might make life easier for all of us, including those with disabilities."
Missouri's ADA anniversary celebration takes place Tuesday, July 28, from 11 to 1 at the capitol rotunda in Jefferson City and will be available live on the Governor's Council on Disability facebook page.