A host of nationally prominent speakers came to The University of Scranton’s 9th annual Northeastern U.S. Conference on disAbility on Oct. 6 to celebrate the 20th anniversary the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey Jr. encouraged the 150 people attending the conference’s awards luncheon to celebrate and draw inspiration from the 20th anniversary of the landmark legislation. 

“I think it’s important that we use celebrations like this … whether it’s a ninth or 20th or some other number — especially when it’s a big number like the 20th anniversary — to indeed be inspired to do more,” Sen. Casey said at the conference, which took place in the DeNaples Center.

In addition to the ADA, Sen. Casey touched upon other legislation efforts designed to support people with disabilities, including the Affordable Health Care for America Act, Community Living Assistance Services and Support Act and the Community Choice Act.

Earlier in the day, the Honorable Lynnae Ruttledge, the newly appointed commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Education, delivered the conference’s opening address via teleconference, stressing the importance of integrating people with disabilities into the workplace and realizing their value. 

“What we know is that people with disabilities bring really unique skills and talents to the workplace,” Commissioner Ruttledge said. “We also add value to the workplace because our contributions help people think differently and better about being inclusive, and about listening to many different voices, and tapping into many different talents.”

In another morning session, Andrew Imparato, CEO and president of American Association of Persons with Disabilities, emphasized the impact the ADA has made thus far, the importance of embracing one’s own disability, and accepting people with disabilities in places of employment. 

“When we think about 20 years since the ADA, let’s not lose that impact — the fact that the ADA is helping people with disabilities throughout this country be open, be out at work and at other settings, and really see their disabilities as a natural part of human diversity; not as a negative, not as something they need to explain away or be ashamed of, but as a part of them that connects them to other people and gives them insights that can help their employers and help any organization that they are connected to,” Imparato said.

Nearly 400 students and community members attended the closing Town Meeting session of the conference presented by award-winning journalist John Hockenberry.

Hockenberry said that as enthusiastic as he was about resuming his college career after recovering from car accident at 19 — that left him a paraplegic — he found it to be difficult and very challenging at times. At times, he felt he was the “lone advocate” for himself. He recalled buildings being only “accidentally” accessible and improvising ways to overcome obstacles everyday.

“Thirty-four years later, being disabled is not that unusual,” Hockenberry said as he encouraged members of the audience to “challenge and change the way we think of ‘normal.’”

The conference, titled “Celebrate the Evolution: The ADA at 20 Years,” was presented by The University of Scranton’s Panuska College of Professional Studies and the Edward R. Leahy, Jr. Endowment. Honorary chairpersons are Edward R. Leahy ’68, H’01 and Patricia Leahy, director of Governmental Affairs for the National Rehabilitation Association.