Tlie Americans with Disabilities Act was sponsored in 1989 by Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Handicapped and co-sponsored by Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts. The ADA was introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate on May 9, 1989. After numerous hearings and revisions, the ADA passed the House on May 22, 1990. On July 12th, the Senate followed suit and the ADA was forwarded to President George Bush who signed the ADA into law on July 26, 1990. 1 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION This is about integration, about breaking away from the isolation of special buses, special rooms, and special dorms. We've got to keep reminding ourselves that 'separate but equal' is not equal. (Raines &. Rossow, 1994, P-7) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is considered the most comprehensive piece of legislation enacted to prohibit discrimination against disabled persons in employment, public services, transportation, places of public accommodation and telecommunications (Mikochik, 1991). The ADA, signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President George Bush, is designed to remove barriers that prevented disabled individuals from experiencing the same rights and privileges as individuals without disabilities. It provides protection to Americans who are either mentally or physically disabled. Physical barriers that once prohibited accessibility for disabled Americans have to be changed or removed. In addition, ADA strengthened previous laws to assure that the rights of disabled Americans were no longer violated. 9 neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, reproductive digestive or any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional mental illness and specific learning disabilities. Post-secondary institution-Institutions that offer education beyond the 12th grade. Program or activity-All of the operations of a college, university or other post-secondary institution. Quadriplegic-An individual with paralysis of all four limbs. Reasonable accommodation-Facilities required to be readily accessible to individuals with disabilities, including classrooms, entrances to buildings, dorm rooms, showers, university or public transportation and any other facility or equipment that may be used by individuals. Spastic Paralysis-A steady and prolonged contraction of the muscles. Special equipment-Specific supplies or furnishings provided to disabled students to help them function adequately. Special transportation services-A transportation system that is available to those individuals who are unable to use the transportation system available to other people. Substantially limits-Creates a situation whereby a disabled individual is unable to perform a major life activity that an average person in the general population can perform, or significantly restricts the condition, manner or duration under which a disabled individual can perform a particular major life activity as compared to the condition, manner or duration under which the av...