In recent months, there has been growing confusion about what falls under the umbrella of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Some are now suggesting that accessibility laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should be grouped with DEI initiatives under labels like “DEIA,” an approach that risks undermining decades of legal precedent. But the ADA is not merely a DEI policy. It is a federal civil rights law, and its history and legal purpose deserve to be clearly understood and upheld.

The ADA Is a Landmark Civil Rights Law

Passed in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and public accommodations. Modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, and is widely considered one of the most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation in American history.

Unlike internal workplace frameworks for DEI, the ADA is enforceable law. It applies to federal, state, and local governments as well as private businesses and employers. Its enforcement is overseen by multiple agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the U.S. Access Board, among others.

Why ADA Compliance Is Not Optional

While DEI efforts are often aspirational or organizationally driven, ADA compliance is a legal requirement. This includes meeting accessibility standards for sidewalks, curb ramps, transit systems, and public spaces as outlined in the Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG).

Businesses, cities, and public institutions are legally obligated to provide accessible infrastructure. Suggesting that ADA protections can be scaled back or reframed through DEI initiatives not only misrepresents their legal status, it opens the door to civil rights violations.

Everyone Benefits from Accessibility

Disability can affect anyone, at any time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 4 adults in the United States lives with a disability. That includes people with visual impairments, mobility challenges, chronic illness, and more. Accessibility features like tactile warning surfaces, ramps, and accessible signage benefit all users, not just those with diagnosed disabilities.

Accessibility is not a privilege or a trend, it is a right that ensures full participation in society.

StrongGo’s Role in Upholding Accessibility

At StrongGo, we have long understood the importance of accessibility as a civil right. That’s why our TekWay® High-Performance Systems are designed to meet and exceed ADA requirements. With tactile warning surfaces, detectable warning tiles, and other products designed with safety, compliance, and durability in mind, we help planners and cities build environments that support mobility for everyone.

Keeping the Conversation Accurate

Conflating ADA compliance with DEI initiatives not only weakens legal protections, it dilutes the purpose of both. The ADA is about equal access under the law. As conversations around inclusion continue, it is critical to ensure that disability rights remain anchored in their civil rights framework, not folded into broader organizational policies that are more vulnerable to shifting priorities or political pushback.

Explore StrongGo’s ADA-compliant products to help create safer, more accessible spaces. Contact us today.