Americans With Disabilities Act Turns 25 While Time Warner Cable Continues to Support Disability Efforts
By Roxanne Romero-Agredano, Integrated Communications Manager
July 26th marked the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and celebrations of the signing of the 1990 law by President George H.W. Bush are taking place across the nation. “This historic act is the world’s first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities, the first… let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down,” said President Bush.
The ADA (and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008-ADAAA) provide civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age and religion. The acts assure equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities for access to businesses, employment, transportation, state and local government programs and services, and telecommunications. Simply put, the act was put into place to break down barriers and provide access to accommodations and opportunities to achieve basic rights that people with disabilities are entitled to with a full complement of resources.
“Time Warner Cable believes accessibility is an element of our company’s citizenship and sustainability strategy, as well as a market and employment opportunity. Moreover, to live by our corporate values, we have to be inclusive. That means people with disabilities can’t be an afterthought. They should have equal opportunity to benefit from all we offer,” said Fernando Laguarda, VP of External Affairs and Policy, and Executive Sponsor of the TWC Able Employee Network.
TWC has long supported initiatives surrounding people with disabilities. Beginning with our employees, the Able and Caregivers Employee Networks serve as supportive and resourceful networks for employees that share similar experiences and provide professional and personal learning opportunities, and community volunteer opportunities. Networks are also dedicated to identifying unique opportunities to align with the company’s business objectives.
Volunteering in the communities we serve is a major component of TWC support. TWC volunteers participate in numerous events throughout the year such as Autism Awareness Month programs and events, participation in the Special Olympics Spring Games and Honor Good Deeds fair, and an abundance of initiatives to support Veterans, which you can read about here. Most recently, TWC was a an in-kind sponsor, via volunteers and PSAs, for the Special Olympics World Games that took place this past weekend in Los Angeles. The event strives to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people. Nearly 300 TWC volunteers, including employees, their families and friends, cheered on athletes as “Fans in the Stands” at numerous events throughout LA. With 7,000 athletes; 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries; 30,000 volunteers and approximately 500,000 spectators, the games were the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015, the biggest in LA since the 1984 Olympic Games.
TWC also makes great strides to provide financial support and participate in related events and programs, provide job opportunities for the disabled, via GettingHired.com where TWC jobs are listed, and to serve our customers with special needs by supporting hiring organizations and providing accessible services, and even participating in special training opportunities.
Visit http://www.adaanniversary.org/ for more information and resources surrounding the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
