Happy 36th Anniversary!

On this day (July 26th), 36 years ago, a groundbreaking Act was written into law! The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)! This federal law changed the lives of millions of individuals. The ADA paved an accessible road that would lead to the Olmstead Act. (I discussed that in another post)

For those who may not know, before the ADA was signed into law, families were told to place their loved ones into what we now call developmental centers. Because society saw us (individuals with disabilities) as a blemish on a “perfect” society. Society felt that if we were “out of sight, we would be out of mind! But they didn’t count on the fact that the families and individuals themselves were fighting to have the rights that every other person had.

The ADA states that people who had disabilities now could have access to education and school; this meant resource rooms and “special education” materials and curriculum. Jobs no longer could discriminate against us, so we could earn incomes so we could live on our own, should they choose to. Many were afraid to join society because of the unknown. It also states that businesses now need to make themselves accessible. This came in the form of bigger stalls in restrooms, pictures on the restroom doors to identify which was the correct room, cause many weren’t taught to read. Stores had to have wider aisles so that people using wheelchairs or walkers could now fit in them. They could now ride public transportation (a great movie/book that talks about this is Riding the Bus with My Sister by Rachel Simon. It’s a true story!). Restaurants now had to have spaces where people had more room to sit, and menus added pictures. The ADA also said that businesses and government could no longer discriminate against us based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion! Government services and programs such as food stamps could no longer be “out of reach” for us.

The ADA is divided into 5 sections/titles; this is because it relates to different areas of public life. Title 1 opens doors to employment. Any employment that they can get or dream of; case in point, I have a friend who had a disability and is a pastor. (Not based on this particular person but you could watch the movie based on a young football star who became blind; it’s called 23 Blast) We can have actresses/actors starring in shows such as Glee or Born This Way!

Title 2: State and local Governments. This prohibits individuals with disabilities from not being allowed to access programs, activities, and services of public entities! Being able to ride on planes, trains, and automobiles gives once “stuck” individuals access to let the country become their oyster!

Title 3: Public Accommodations. (Not to be confused with Title 2) This one speaks to private and public businesses such as hotels, restaurants, concert venues, stores, etc, to become more accessible. This could look like ramps into schools or businesses. Wider doorways into doctors’ offices, lower counters or tables in restaurants. Handicap parking spaces and mobile shopping carts are another accommodation that was provided because of the ADA.

Title 4 is Telecommunications, which requires that telephone and internet companies provide a nationwide system of interstate and intrastate telecommunication over phone services and internet services. This also includes closed captioning on public service announcements. (I personally feel this section needs updating, as we now have so many new ways to communicate, but that is my opinion)

And lastly, Title 5 is Miscellaneous provisions. This covers many areas, including relationships to other laws, state immunity, and the way it can impact insurance companies as well as state benefits. This means programs such as food stamps, WIC, or public assistance can’t deny you services based on your disability alone.

Many people don’t think about how important the ADA is because they don’t have to experience the struggles us indivduals have to deal. And to them I say, count your blessings that you didn’t have to experience what life was like before the ADA. So maybe the next time you become annoyed cause someone is using the handicap stall or parking spot, maybe be grateful that we are now able to access our community and start living our own lives!

Happy Anniversary ADA! And A huge thank you to those who fought so hard; it was not in vain!