Artists with disabilities celebrate 30 years of the ADA

Transcript

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Judy Woodruff: Finally, during this anniversary week for the ADA, we wanted to take a moment to highlight the achievements of performers, writers, comedians, and artists with disabilities.

Their work was featured in a special ceremony streamed over Facebook called ADA 30: Lead on.

Here are a few moments from the evening, which had a format much like a variety show. And it included President Bush’s speech when he signed the law.

It’s part of our ongoing arts and culture coverage, Canvas.

Former President, George H.W. Bush: I now lift my pen to sign this Americans with Disability Act and say, let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down.

Maysoon Zayud: There are so many other things that I want to thank the ADA for, but the most important thing, the thing I love the best about the ADA is that I got to cut the lines at Disney.

Heath Montgomery: Free our people.

Diana Jordan: “What’s wrong with your little girl?” is what people in the town would ask my grandmother.

Anita Hollander (singing): I have the body of a fighter who’s constantly at war. I get knocked down 100 times and rise 100 more.

When you are someone slightly different, people say things to beware, like, why pursue a job when they don’t want to have you there? There’s a little piece of wisdom passed around from friend to friend, says that which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger in the end.

Selene Luna: I actually just turned 45.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Selene Luna: OK, like two years ago.

(LAUGHTER)

Selene Luna: And I know a lady is not supposed to tell her age, but I don’t care, because at least I am still at my birth weight.

(LAUGHTER)

Ali Stroker(singing): Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.

Judy Woodruff: And so much more talent where that came from.