This month marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, landmark legislation signed into law on July 26, 1990. For more than three decades, the ADA has helped remove barriers and expand opportunities for Americans with disabilities. Its anniversary is also an opportunity to consider how we can continue improving accessibility, independence, and participation in our communities.
During the 2025 Regular Session, the General Assembly passed several laws aimed at improving accessibility and opportunities for Arkansans with disabilities.
Acts 906 and 907 strengthen support for students with disabilities attending Arkansas colleges and universities. These laws require institutions to establish clearer policies for evaluating accommodation requests, work directly with students to determine reasonable accommodations, and report information that will help the state better understand how students with disabilities are being served.
The Arkansas ACCESS Act also created the Governor’s Higher Education Transition Scholarship Program to help eligible students with disabilities pursue qualifying postsecondary programs.
Other legislation focused on greater independence and accessibility in everyday life. Act 98 allows physical therapists to certify patients for disability parking permits, while Act 855 establishes accessible bed-height requirements for mobility-accessible hotel rooms.
Lawmakers also passed measures to improve interactions with law enforcement and strengthen protections for vulnerable Arkansans. Act 16 created the Blue Envelope Program to help individuals with autism communicate with law enforcement during traffic stops. Act 531 created a similar Green Envelope Program for individuals diagnosed with a mental illness.
Act 951 established a new Missing Endangered Adult Advisory System for missing adults with certain disabilities who do not meet the requirements for a Silver Alert.
The anniversary of the ADA reminds us that accessibility is about more than meeting legal requirements. It is about ensuring every Arkansan has the opportunity to learn, work, travel, live independently, and participate fully in their community.
The General Assembly will continue working to identify barriers and advance policies that help Arkansans with disabilities live with greater independence, dignity, and opportunity.