For Immediate Release:
July 24, 2020
Contact: Matt Baca — (505) 270-7148
Santa Fe, NM—Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas joined State Treasurer Tim
Eichenberg and State Auditor Brian Colón in recognizing the Americans with Disabilities
Act Day. On July 17, 2020, Governor Michelle Luján Grisham declared July 26, 2020 as
Americans with Disabilities Act Day in honor of the 30th Anniversary of the American with
Disabilities Act.
“It is important for us to recognize the anniversary enacting this historic piece of
legislation, which provides access and opportunities for individuals with disabilities, but
we must continue the fight,” said Attorney General Balderas. “We will continue to stand
with New Mexican families and fight for equity and justice.”
“We are proud to offer ABLE New Mexico through the State Treasurer’s Office,” said
Eichenberg. “Nearly 500 New Mexicans have opened accounts through ABLE to save
money for their needs, without jeopardizing the assistance they receive from other
programs. We can serve so many more people in New Mexico, though. We hope that
this celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act Day will shine a light on ABLE New
Mexico so that folks will reach out to us for more information.”
“Having grown up with a father who had Muscular Dystrophy and passed away at the
age of 49, the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act is personal to me. I am
proud to recognize this day, for all who live with a disability and thrive because of the
support the ADA guarantees, in honor of my father,” said Auditor Colón. “The ADA
guarantees rights for our most vulnerable populations – individuals who are our family,
friends, neighbors, and colleagues. It gives assurances they will not face discrimination
on the basis of a disability. Today we mark the 30th anniversary of the passing of this
important legislation and celebrate how it is possible to agree, regardless of politics, that
nobody should be treated differently or unfairly because they live with a disability.”
This past October the Attorney General, State Auditor and State Treasurer hosted a
summit on disabilities: The Dream Bigger Summit – Creating a More Inclusive New
Mexico. The summit scheduled for October 2020 will be postponed due to COVID-19.