New York ( CNN ) -- When President George H.W . Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26 , 1990 , he addressed concerns the sweeping civil rights law would be `` too vague or costly , or may lead endlessly to litigation . '' Bush tried to reassure Americans his administration and Congress were `` committed to containing the costs that may be incurred . '' Borrowing from President Reagan 's Berlin Wall speech from a few years earlier , Bush said , `` Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down . '' Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa , an original sponsor of the legislation , introduced a resolution last week saluting the people who helped bring the Americans with Disabilities Act into law . `` Twenty years ago , we heard testimony from Americans who had to crawl on their hands and knees to go up a flight of stairs ; who could n't ride on a bus because there was n't a lift ; who could n't even cross the street in their wheelchairs because there were no curb cuts , '' the resolution said . `` The ADA has broken down barriers , created opportunities and transformed lives . '' Amazing success fueled by act of discrimination . But the sweeping law , which regulates employment practices , federal and local programs , transportation , public accommodations and commercial facilities , remains a ripe source of news , legal action and popular debate . Pressured by court rulings , settlements or conscience , organizations and companies big and small regularly make modest or multimillion dollar changes to their buildings and business practices . In the past week , Los Angeles International Airport said it installed five grassy `` relief stations '' for travelers with guide dogs . The facilities include bowls and fake fire hydrants . In Virginia , The Mount Vernon Ladies Association of the Union , which owns and maintains George Washington 's estate , promised the Justice Department it will modify Mount Vernon 's main walkway , build a less steep entry ramp and make exhibitions more useful to deaf , hard of hearing , blind and low-vision visitors . In the same week , the department also said Blockbuster will train employees to ensure people with service animals have full and equal access to its more than 3,000 stores . As the anniversary approached , an internet chat board sampling turned up countless positive comments but also many critical ones . ''ADA laws have been interpreted , reinterpreted and misinterpreted so many times that unfortunately nobody has a final answer until you end up in court , '' one posting complained . On plumbingzone.com , a forum for plumbers , a comment poked fun at requirements for urinal heights in public restrooms , saying , `` Listen , a handicapped person ai n't gon na use a urinal to begin with . '' On another site , a post by a self-described business owner says , `` I spent thousands of dollars complying with the ADA laws . I then get a letter in the mail from someone that is disabled that came into my establishment notifying me of all my violations . '' ''One was that the toilet paper dispenser in the restroom was three inches off the required ADA position , '' the posting said . `` What disabled person goes around with a tape measure ? I could smell a lawsuit and immediately fixed all the minor items . '' ''While I understand the idea behind the law , it is definitely not being used as it was intended . '' According to the Census Bureau , 54 million Americans have a disability . That 's almost one in five people . More than three million 15 years or older use a wheelchair . To coincide with the anniversary of the act , the Vehicle Production Group , a Florida-based specialty automaker , announced the MV-1 , which it calls the first entirely wheelchair-accessible vehicle . Slated to sell for about $ 40,000 at base price , the minivan `` features a deployable access ramp with a 1,200-pound weight capacity , a spacious 36-inch entryway and a roomy interior that seats up to six people comfortably , '' the company 's news release said .
Disabilities law marks 20th anniversary Monday ; it 's criticized for its cost , litigation . It 's credited with smashing barriers , creating opportunities , transforming lives . Web chat boards poke fun at required Americans with Disabilities Act projects . One in five Americans are disabled ; more than three million 15 or older use wheelchairs .