D&I Timeline

President Bill Clinton signs into law the Assistive Technology Act

Assistive Technology Act of 1998 supported grants to states for the provision of assistive technologies for individuals with disabilities. The goal of this law was to allow people with disabilities to participate fully in education, employment, and all other daily activities.

President George W. Bush signs Executive Order 13279

This executive order permitted religious affiliation preference in hiring practices that remained in compliance with non-discriminatory laws. More>>

Tarana Burke started the Me Too Movement

Tarana Burke began using the phrase “Me Too” to raise awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual abuse and assault in society. More>>

President George W. Bush signs into law the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act bars the use of genetic information in health insurance and employment.  It prohibits group health plans and health insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based solely on a genetic predisposition to developing a disease in the future and it bars employers from using individuals’ genetic information when making decisions to hire, fire, or promote those individuals. More>>

President George W. Bush signs into law the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008

The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act amended the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and made changes to the definition of the term “disability.” This clarified and broadened the definition and growing the number and types of persons who are protected under the ADA and other Federal disability nondiscrimination laws. More>>

Ursula Burns is the first black female CEO to lead a Fortune 500 company

Ursula Burns served as Xerox CEO from 2010 to 2016 and managed to turn a company once only known for paper copies into a viable and profitable business helping generate $18 billion in revenue in 2015. More>>

President Barack Obama signed into law the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

This act amends Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and states that the 180-day statute of limitations for filing an equal-pay lawsuit regarding pay discrimination resets with each new paycheck affected by that discriminatory action. More>>

The Black Lives Matter movement was founded by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi

In response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman, the Black Lives Matter movement was born as a platform and organizing tool to bring awareness to anti-black racism across the United States. More>>

President Barack H. Obama signs Executive Order 13665

Prohibited federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity. More>>

North Carolina passes controversial House Bill 2

House Bill 2 declares that state law overrides all local ordinances concerning wages, employment and public accommodations. The law also directs all public schools, government agencies and public college campuses to require that multiple-occupancy bathrooms and changing facilities, such as locker rooms, be designated for use only by people based on their “biological sex” stated on their birth certificate directly targeting transgender people. More>>