anniversary? It's the signing of the Americannnnns with Disabilities Act
(ADA) by then-President George H.W. bush. It gave those of us with
disabilities the right to be included in all aspects of society including
success and failure. It gave us access to the built environment, to state
and local government programs and services and places of public
accommodation. This meant stores, restaurants, bars, amusement
parks,festivals etc. We could go where everyone else goes. We have a right
to get material from city council meetings in accessible format.
Transportation became accessible so we could get out and go where we need
and want to go. This includes fixed route and paratransit service. These
are just a few things that the ADA has allowed us to do.
Is there still a ways to go? Yes there certainly is. There is the issue of
access to goods and services sold over the Internet. The Dept. of Justice
will be dealing with this issue very soon so that is a step in the right
direction. Are there still access issues when it comes to voting?
Absolutely there are but voting is something that we can do independnently
now thanks in part to the ADA and I for one am not going back.
Pedestrian access is something that still needs work but will improve.
Access to state and local government programs and services is better but
again could improve.
There is, however, one thing that legislation will not change no matter how
hard you try; and that is attitudes. There will continue to be problems
with employment when you have attitudes which say that PWD can't work or
live independently. These attitudinal barriers will come down much more
slowly than the physical barriers have come down. All of us have attitudes
that we have acquired since a veryh young age. It's hard to change those
attitudes but we must continue to try.
Does the ADA hold promise for equal rights? You bet it does, especially if
we make full use of its provisions. If we don't make full use of its
provisions, then we won't realize the true power that this law gives us.
Let's dedicate ourselves to realizing the full potential of this landmark
legislation.
