The anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) offers a special opportunity to celebrate the activists who have worked for equal rights and a more inclusive society for people with disabilities.

The ADA was passed in July 1990 to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities and to ensure the full participation, inclusion and integration of people with disabilities at all levels of society.

People with disabilities today make up one-fifth of the population of the United States, and cut across multiple lines of identity including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and age.

Despite the fact that people with disabilities represent the largest demographic group in the nation, the disability community remains largely invisible and continues to face prejudice and discrimination, such as stereotypical portrayals in the media, lack of affordable health care and physical barriers to schools, housing and voting stations.

The promise of the ADA is yet to be fully realized, but the disability rights movement continues to make great strides towards the empowerment and self-determination of Americans with disabilities.

In support of these efforts, the Anti-Defamation League features books this month that profile the achievements of just a couple of the many pioneers and activists who have helped to change societal attitudes about and improve conditions for people with disabilities.

Emmanuel Osofu Yeboah was born with a deformed leg in Ghana, where people with disabilities are considered burdens to society.  In 2001, Emmanuel devoted himself to changing this view and biked one-legged 370 miles around Ghana. Through continued efforts, he has forever changed his nation's treatment and view of people with disabilities.

This Creative Minds series biography provides a contemporary account of the life of the man who developed American Sign Language.  Thomas Gallaudet was driven by the experiences of Alice Cogswell, the nine-year-old deaf daughter of a neighbor, to travel to Europe and study methods for teaching deaf students.  Upon returning to the U.S., Gallaudet founded the American School for the Deaf.  In 1864, his son, Edward, established the first college for the deaf which in 1986 became Gallaudet University.