Three years after the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, over 2,000 New Yorkers with disabilities took to the streets to celebrate the promise of independence the law represented. 33 Years later, what can we learn about the hopes and goals of these organizers? What are the major victories over the past three decades, and where should the disability rights movement turn now?
From left to right, activists Marca Bristo, Paul Steven Miller, Judy Heumann, Phyllis Rubenfeld, an unknown person, and Justin Dart walk and roll together. Yoshiko Dart (Justin’s widow) and Kyoko Okubo Yamazaki (proud member of the Darts’ “Lifequality Empowerment Training program”) are behind them, holding a banner with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
On display
July 14- August 15
Positive Exposure
83 Maiden Ln.
Floor 4
Celebration
July 25, 2026
2-5 pm
Join us to commemorate the ADA’s 36th anniversary. DIDM ’93 March organizer, Nadina LaSpina, will read from her memoir, Such a Pretty Girl: A Story of Struggle, Empowerment, and Disability Pride.
Image Description 1: Black and white image of several protesters, most in wheelchairs, under a banner that reads Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, Martin Luther King Jr.
Image description 2: A logo for the march that was used for programs and other distributed information. The bust of the Statue of Liberty is above the words “DIDM ’93, Disability Independence Day March.”
Alt text: Disability Independence Day March ’93 logo