On this day in history, July 26th, in 1990, the American Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. ADA regulations provide civil right protections with physical and mental disabilities. 

Everyday Americans see the impact of ADA regulations in that all public buildings must have handicap accessible bathrooms, ramp access and handicap parking close to the entrance. In cities of all sizes audible crosswalk signals and tactile street curbs to help those who are visually impaired. And ADA laws ensure accessibility and support for all students with disabilities, from preschool age through to graduate students. 

The ADA was championed by Justin Dart Jr., known as the “Godfather of the Americans with Disabilities Act.” At eighteen, he contracted polio and was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. For decades, he advocated both through grassroots campaigns and public policy for equal opportunities for the disabled community. And when Dart was sixty years old, ADA was signed into law with the overwhelming support of a bipartisan Congress in 1990. His personal motto was “Lead on!” and he truly led the movement. 

Effective advocates, like Dart, champion the causes of others in order alleviate suffering that they too have experienced. Over decades, Dart experienced the pain (and often humiliation) of not being able to use a public restroom that could accommodate his wheelchair or being excluded from a gathering on the second story where stairs were required. His association with the disability community made him their perfect champion because he experienced the daily marginalizing effects of having a disability. 

Along with empathy, Dart also had power to effect change. Over decades, he built political connections and found like-minded advocates on both sides of the political aisle. Chief among them were Republican Bob Dole, a WWII veteran who lost use of his right arm in combat, and Democrat Ted Kennedy, whose sister had a disability. For his efforts, Dart was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998. 

Dart’s legacy is that of an advocate. He had compassion for a vulnerable community that he deeply identified, and used his power to create lasting change for millions of people with disabilities. 

Dart’s advocacy points to a far greater advocate: Jesus Christ. 

Jesus advocates for all of humanity in our deepest need: to save us from sin. Apart from the saving power of Christ, our inherent sin nature would separate us from a holy God, destroy all human relationships, and harden our heart from realizing it. Sin is a problem we cannot fix on our own, even if we want to. We need an effective Advocate. We need a Savior. 

So God, rich in mercy, “made him [Christ] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). On the cross, Christ experienced with the deep suffering of pain, torture, betrayal, mocking, humiliation, injustice and even death that humans experience as the fully onslaught of humanity’s sin was inflicted upon Him. Yet the cross was a hidden victory because through His death He atoned for the sin of all humanity and through His blood He reconciled humanity back to God. 

Christ’s advocacy also extends to us now through the Holy Spirit, whom the Father gave, to help us and to be with us forever (John 14:16). So assured of the empathy and effectiveness of the Spirit, Jesus told His disciples: “‘It is for your good that I am going away’” (John 16:7). Right now, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, is teaching us all things and reminding us of everything Christ said to us (John 14:26). 

In response, let’s join Dart in saying “Lead on!” by advocating for those on the margins, those who are weak or vulnerable and by following the lead of the Spirit who is always advocating for us to the Father.