Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Summary: In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities. As a wounded WWII veteran who never fully regained use of his right arm, Bob Dole was an advocate for the disabled throughout his career and a major supporter of ADA.
Date Range: 1989-1995
Online materials: Speeches made by Senator Dole about the passage of the ADA; letters, memos, and statements from Senator Dole regarding changes to the government buildings in Washington, D.C. to meet the ADA accessibility standards; and explanations of the Act and its enforcement.
Read more about Dole's role in the Americans with Disabilities Act.Additional materials: Constituent letters regarding making businesses ADA compliant, memos, and Senate testimony transcripts.
Title: Disabled Americans on the Capitol steps
Date: 1990
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1880-1996, Box 49, Folder 31, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Dole receives award for helping disabled
Date: 1986-05
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1880-1996, Box 48, Folder 8, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Senator Bob Dole and former President Richard Nixon greeting disabled children, 1991
Date: 1991-4-24
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1880-1996, Box 38, Folder 6, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Bob Dole speaking to leaders of organization for the disabled, 1969
Date: 1969-04-14
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1880-1996, Box 60, Folder 10, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Memo: to Senator Dole from Mo West
Date: 1989-5-25
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 210, Folder 1, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Memo: to Senator Dole from Mo West
Date: 1989-5-25
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 210, Folder 1, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Memo: to Senator Dole from Mo West
Date: 1989-5-25
Citation:Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 210, Folder 1, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Speech by Senator Dole on passage of ADA
Date: 1990-7-12
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 210, Folder 2, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Bill, version of ADA
Date: Undated
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 748, Folder 3, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Checklist: Are You In Compliance?
Date: Undated
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 748, Folder 4, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Pamphlet: Americans with Disabilities Act
Date: Undated
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 748, Folder 5, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Common Questions About Title II of ADA
Date: 1994-11
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 748, Folder 6, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Statement by Senator Dole on Installation of Senate Closed Captioning Proceedings
Date: 1991-11-18
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 749, Folder 4, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Letter to George White, Architect of the Capitol from Senator Dole
Date: 1994-12-29
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 749, Folder 4, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Press Release: Dole Announces Old Senate Chamber Now Accessible to Disabled
Date: 1995-1-3
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 749, Folder 4, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Brochure: Congressional Special Services Office
Date: Undated
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 749, Folder 5, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Bill S. Res. Closed Caption Senate
Date: 1989-1-25
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 749, Folder 7, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Talking Points: Exclusion of People with HIV from Coverage under ADA
Date: Undated
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 749, Folder 7, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Statement of Jesse Jackson, President National Rainbow Coalition
Date: 1989-7-18
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 750, Folder 3, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Speech by Senator Dole
Date: 1989-9-6
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 750, Folder 10, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Fact Sheet: Aids in the Workplace and Its Impact on Health Insurance
Date: 1989-1-1
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 752, Folder 1, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Statement by Senator Dole
Date: 1990-8-14
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 752, Folder 8, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Pamphlet from National Organization on Disability
Date: Undated
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 753, Folder 8, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Letter to President Reagan from Senator Dole
Date: 1988-12-5
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 753, Folder 8, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Letter to Senator Dole from J. Edward Fox
Date: 1989-1-19
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 753, Folder 8, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Bill S.933
Date: 1989-5-9
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 753, Folder 8, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Press Release: Senator Dole's Support for ADA
Date: Undated
Citation: Robert J. Dole Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996, Box 603, Folder 1, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Press Release: Importance of Empowering Disabled
Date: 1990-7-13
Citation: Robert J. Dole Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996, Box 603, Folder 1, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Press release: Dole and Kasten Call on White House to Provide Sign Language Interpreters for Deaf Tourists
Date: 1990-7-26
Citation: Robert J. Dole Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996, Box 603, Folder 1, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: What You Need to Know About the Americans With Disabilities Act
Date: 1990
Citation: Robert J. Dole Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996, Box 603, Folder 1, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Example of Kansas Classroom Based Assessment – CBA. A Case Study of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)
Use these compelling and supporting questions regarding the ADA for a summative performance task of writing elected officials on the progress of the ADA in your local community.
Title: Secondary level – How to Write a Letter to Your Representatives
Use this template in crafting your own message to your elected officials. Don’t forget to address your envelope correctly!
Photograph
Title: Senator Bob Dole and former President Richard Nixon greeting disabled children, 1991
Date: 1991-4-24
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1880-1996, Box 38, Folder 6, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Legislature viewpoint - Opposition
Title: Unfunded federal mandates disable states, legislator says
Date: 1993-12-10
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 753, Folder 6, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
Legislature viewpoint - Support
Title: National Federation of Independent Business viewpoint on ADA legislation
Date: 1989
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 752, Folder 7, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
Business viewpoint - Opposition. Local connection to Kansas
Title: Concerns of the ADA from the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce
Date: 1990
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 752, Folder 7, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
Business viewpoint - Support. Local connection to Kansas
Title: Memorandum: Good news on ADA – KC area communities making good progress
Date: 1995-2-24
Citation: Alec Vachon Papers, 1969-2006, Box 3, Folder 6, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
Public viewpoint - Opposition
Title: Talking points for “Face The Nation” television show on ADA as an unfunded mandate
Date: 1994-12-30
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 750, Folder 9, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
Public viewpoint - Support
Title: Testimony of Justin Dart on personal effect of ADA
Date: 1994-4-28
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 753, Folder 6, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
ADA Fact Sheet - Produced by The Dole Foundation
Title: What You Need to Know About the Americans With Disabilities Act
Date: 1990
Citation: Robert J. Dole Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996, Box 603, Folder 1, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
Constituent Letter
Title: Arney Tolman constituent letter, physically disabled 19-year old young man requesting info on employment services
Date: 1978-6-24
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 251, Folder 2, , Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas