The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed July 26, 1990 but did not became effective until January 26, 1992. The ADA opened up services and employment opportunities to the 43 million Americans with disabilities. The law was written to strike a balance between the reasonable accommodation of citizens’ needs and the capacity of private and public entities to respond. The ADA means that we can all benefit from the skills and talents of individuals with disabilities and gain from their increased purchasing power and ability to use it. It also means fuller, more productive lives for all Americans, not just those with disabilities.