Washington, D.C. – Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush died on November 30 at the age of 94. Among many other notable items, his legacy includes signing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, a comprehensive law on the federal level to address the needs of people with disabilities. The ADA is a wide-ranging, revolutionary piece of civil rights legislation that covers access to employment, public transportation, commercial facilities, telecommunications and public accommodations.

At the signing, President Bush remarked, “This historic act is the world’s first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities — the first. Its passage has made the United States the international leader on this human rights issue.”

“President Bush had a profound impact on the U.S. and on the building safety community when he signed the ADA,” said International Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “His legacy will long be remembered and celebrated, and we are greatly saddened by his loss.”

“Since 1961 when the first version of the accessibility standard was published, the building safety community has been heavily involved in ensuring buildings are safe and accessible for all,” said Code Council Board President William R. Bryant, MCP, CBO. “The Code Council, our members and our partners are grateful to President Bush for his long and enduring support of our mission and our community.”

The Code Council publishes ICC A117.1 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, the primary accessibility standard referenced in the International Building Code and used across the U.S. The specifications in the standard make sites, facilities, buildings and elements accessible to and usable by people with physical disabilities. Click here to learn more about ICC A117.1.