35 Years of Progress: ADA Past, Present, and Future
RTD has only recently learned that the winning bus wrap design depicted Kalyn Heffernan’s likeness.
The design was part of a community contest to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Designer Justin Bravo created and submitted the artwork.
The design was selected from six submissions by a panel of community members reflective of the intersection of accessibility, disability, diverse communities, lived experiences, and personal identities, fostering an appreciation and celebration of our social and cultural similarities and differences.
Submissions were evaluated by a 10-member panel with representatives from Atlantis Community Inc., Canine Partners of the Rockies, Center for People with Disabilities, Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, Community College of Aurora, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Phamaly Theatre Company, Rocky Mountain ADA Center, and RTD.
RTD is committed to advancing equity by ensuring that the agency’s services, decisions, and partnerships promote fair access, remove barriers, and support the diverse communities the agency serves.
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of our agency and operations. In partnership with Atlantis Community, the Center for People with Disabilities, City and County of Denver's Disability Rights Division, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Canine Partners of the Rockies, Phamaly Theatre Company, the Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce, Metro University, Rocky Mountain ADA Center, and other valuable community partners, RTD hosted 35 Years of Progress: ADA Past, Present, and Future, a community celebration of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This event occurred on August 1, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Denver Downtown-Convention Center, 550 15th St, Denver, CO 80202.
Celebrate 35 years of progress toward equity and justice for people with disabilities
In 1990, the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law was a transformative moment in the fight for equality. The ADA expanded anti-discrimination protections and reshaped the built environment, making it more accessible to people with disabilities. This landmark legislation marked a crucial moment in the nation's journey, advancing equality, access, and justice for individuals with disabilities across the nation, its effects resonate widely, including in transportation equity, ensuring fair access to public transport and its associated opportunities for everyone.
In the years leading up to the ADA’s passage, as well as the decades that followed, the disability community in Denver has been at the forefront, advocating for their rights and independence. Their dedication has shaped the progress we see today. As we commemorate these significant milestones, RTD invites community members to join us in celebrating the 35th anniversary of the ADA, at an upcoming commemorative event. This event will feature the unveiling of a bus wrap design, created as part of the Bus Design Contest, honoring the continued fight for disability rights and inclusion. We encourage you to engage with our community partners and be part of this important conversation on equality and justice.
Event Highlights:
- Special Unveiling: Attendees will be the first to see the new bus wrap, commemorating the ADA’s 35th anniversary, designed by the winner of our Bus Design Contest.
- Unforgettable Panel: Watch a dynamic, multigenerational discussion between people with disabilities and their allies about their personal histories, the impact of the ADA, and their hopes for the future.
- History Exhibit: Explore the history of Denver’s disability community, with artifacts, oral histories, and a documentary, generously sourced from Denver Public Library and Atlantis Community.
News Stop
Celebrating 35 years of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990: A transit equity milestone
RTD celebrates 35 years of ADA with bus wrap, storytelling and celebration
Today’s event featured new bus wrap and historical exhibit highlighting Denver’s disability community