Most Americans take for granted how easy it is to hop in their car, head to a baseball game and enjoy the sport firsthand.

Twenty years ago, a family event such as that one likely would not have been possible for many people with disabilities. But thanks in part to the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law 20 years ago this month, that history is disappearing.

As baseball parks, sidewalks and buildings are becoming more handicapped accessible, Americans have begun to move away from what President George H.W. Bush called "the shameful wall of exclusion" before signing the ADA into law on July 26, 1990.

To honor the event of the ADA becoming law, the Human Rights Commission and Burlington Bees sponsored an event at the ballpark Thursday night.

"Today we recognize that people with disabilities - like all people - have unique abilities, talents and aptitudes. An America is better, fairer and richer when we make full use of those gifts," read a note from Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who was a chief sponsor of the bill. Due to votes in Washington, D.C., Harkin was not able to attend the Bees game Thursday, so a spokeswoman, Alison Hart, read a letter from the senator.

Harkin has said it's not just a shift in accessibility but in attitudes toward people with disabilities and to give them equal opportunities as well.

"We just kind of want to keep this out in front of people, that disabilities is a rights issue, and keep concentrating on that," said J.R. Ritters, the Burlington Human Rights Commission chairman. "Without the ADA law, there'd be no way we could make everywhere accessible for people with disabilities, so it's a blessing."

Ritters said the organization was approached by the state commission to hold an event like this, and the members immediately got to work with the Bees club, which was more than happy to oblige.

"We thought it was a worthy cause to recognize the 20th anniversary for that," said Jared Schjei, assistant general manager of the Bees, adding that General Manager Jim Gabella has been an advocate for people with disabilities.

Schjei said the ball park staff and players make an effort to go out to places like Hope Haven once a year to sign autographs and take pictures and welcomes people from Hope Haven regularly.

"We know we've got a lot of Bees fans at Hope Haven," Schjei said. "Like any building being handicapped accessible, we want everybody to be able to come out and enjoy Bees games."

Hope Haven Executive Director Bob Bartles threw out the first pitch to the event, and several Hope Haven residents were offered free tickets to Thursday night's game.

Asked whether the day could become an annual event to recognize the ADA and people with disabilities, human rights commissioners said it could.