The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination solely on the basis of disability in employment, public services, and accommodations. It protects any individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities. This year 54 million people - 19% of the population - has a disability and are helped by this law. I could do a dance I'm so happy that this law was passed!
What has this law changed? There is better accessible transportation options, wheelchair-accessible buses and curb cuts. There is access to sign language and printed materials for deaf individuals. There is Braille in public areas, on hotel doors and elevators. And, while the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities is still a staggering 75%, there are more people with disabilities in the workforce today.
Many people have benefitted from this law including those who are not disabled at all. For example, curb cuts are great for moms with babies in strollers and for children riding bicycles on the sidewalks. Closed captioning is often used on tvs in gyms so the members can exercise and follow along with a show of their choosing. These are just a couple of examples of how inclusion often benefits everyone and not only the disabled individual.
I know not everyone is happy with the speed of progress since the ADA was passed and that we have more work to do, but for today I am celebrating the people who fought so hard to get this law passed and the progress we have made toward including people of all-abilities into every aspect our society.
2 comments:
My husband and I were just talking about how lucky we are to have this legislation! Twenty years ago the only options for Walker would have been to institutionalize him or keep him home without the proper therapies. I know we have a long way to go before society accepts people with an open mind, but yeah, for our predecessors who have paved the way!
Thank you for reminding us of this legislation. We do have a long way to go!
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