Final answer:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 mandated reasonable accommodations for disabled individuals in employment and public services, shifting the view of disability to a civil rights model and advancing equal access and opportunities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The growth in assistive technology is in part due to demands by disabled individuals and disability organizations for equal access to computers and Web content, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The ADA is a significant law that required employers of more than fifteen people and government organizations, including colleges and universities, to make reasonable accommodations for disabled persons. These accommodations are designed to provide equal opportunities in the workforce and in educational institutes.
Prior to the enactment of the ADA, there was a widespread acceptance of a world tailored to the able-bodied, which often left out individuals with disabilities. The Act paved the way for vital changes, such as creating accessible public spaces, mandating reasonable accommodations in employment, and ensuring public services are accessible to all. Despite the progress made, individuals with disabilities still face challenges, such as slow and understaffed resources in educational institutions, and the full accessibility of buildings and services can still be improved.
By defining disability as a physical or mental impairment that limits a major life activity, the ADA shifted away from a medical model to one of civil rights, prohibiting discrimination and emphasizing the need for society to accommodate the diverse needs of all its members.