Actress Selma Blair’s emotional speech about disability in the White House

American actress Selma Blair celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act, which she calls “historic pieces of legislation,” this Monday, October 2, at the White House [que] “These were vital steps towards justice.”

The words of Blair, a disability rights activist, were mentioned in an emotional speech presented by President Joe Biden.

Star of Legal blonde and Cruel intentionswho was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, walked alongside Biden at the ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House with his cane and service dog, an English Labrador named Scout.

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The 51-year-old performer, who calls herself a “proud disabled woman,” addressed other activists attending the rally: “Even though I’ve had symptoms since I was 7, it took a lifetime of self-advocacy to finally get me to the hospital. diagnosis in at the age of 46, after living most of my life with pain and self-doubt.”

Blair added that Judy Heumann, a well-known activist who helped pass laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities and who died in March at age 75, taught her values. “The pressure on capital continues,” Blair said. “Our laws and policies must reflect that our lives of people with disabilities are of no less value.”

Biden also praised Huemann, noting that “history shows that it is often not the people in power, but the power of the people, that moves the country forward.”

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs run by federal agencies, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prevents discrimination against people with disabilities in everything from employment to parking and transportation.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the United States.