On July 26, 2025, Kauai joined a statewide celebration marking the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Approximately one hundred participants gathered on Rice Street in front of the historic County Building, waving signs to honor the landmark legislation that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various aspects of public life.
The event featured an American Sign Language interpreter who traveled from Oahu to facilitate communication for attendees. Among those present was Nancy Romaine from the state’s Department of Human Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, who noted the significance of the event. “We have one deaf person,” Romaine said, highlighting the importance of accessibility in such gatherings. The interpreter was coordinated by the Hawaii State Council for Developmental Disabilities, which played a crucial role in organizing the event alongside other islands participating simultaneously.
Voices of Advocacy and Inclusion
Dignitaries included Daintry Bartoldus, the executive administrator of the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, who emphasized that the ADA opened doors to access. “The real progress happens when laws meet action,” Bartoldus stated in a press release. “We work every day to make sure the spirit of the ADA lives on — not just in policy, but in real change: jobs with dignity, choices without barriers, and communities that include everyone.”
The council is a federally mandated, governor-appointed body responsible for identifying needs, coordinating services, and advocating for policies that enhance the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) throughout Hawaii. Its mission aligns closely with the ADA’s vision of full participation and equity for all individuals.
Although Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami could not attend the rally, he sent a proclamation recognizing the ADA as a significant civil rights milestone. This proclamation underscored the law’s vital role in prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, education, transportation, and public spaces.
Continuing the Fight for Equal Rights
During the event, Rep. Terez Amato, a dedicated advocate for disability rights, addressed the ongoing challenges in fully realizing the ADA’s mandates. “The 1990 ADA law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, but we have much work ahead to actually do what the ADA law mandated 35 years ago,” Amato said. She expressed gratitude for the support of the state’s leadership in advocating for the disabled and elder communities.
Amato was also scheduled to deliver a proclamation at a concurrent rally at the Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda, further demonstrating the unified effort across the state to celebrate and advocate for disability rights.
The 35th anniversary of the ADA has not only served as a reminder of the progress made over the years but also as a call to action for communities to continue working towards genuine inclusion and accessibility for all individuals. The events across Hawaii reflect a collective commitment to ensuring that the ideals of the ADA are not just celebrated but actively pursued in daily life.
