On July 26, our nation will celebrate 17 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Originally signed into law by George H. W. Bush in 1990, the ADA was the first declaration to proclaim the equality of people with disabilities and address the needs of the disability community and the barriers it faces in regard to transportation, employment, public services, telecommunications and accommodations.
The ADA's “clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against people with disabilities” defends and establishes the federal civil rights of those with disabilities. Through the ADA, individuals with disabilities have become more self sufficient and independent, benefiting their communities with resourceful knowledge and skills. With one in five individuals having a disability in the United States, the ADA becomes imperative in implementing strategies for a successful barrier free life.
With so many people in the United States having a disability, one would wonder why so much discrimination still exists. As with other civil rights issues, the disability community has been struggling to defend its basic civil rights as Americans. Human rights refer to “the basic rights and freedoms, to which all humans are entitled, often held to include the right to life and liberty, freedom of thought and expression and equality before the law.”
The disability community is a strong and powerful demographic; a population that can greatly affect the U.S. job market, economy and politics. Surely, the disability community is doing just that. Over the last 17 years, the disability community has been making waves in government policy, challenging officials for more reform. Each day, individuals with disabilities encounter obstacles and prejudices that limit them. Instead of giving up, they continue to fight to make the world more accessible and aware of their needs, which is a constitutional right. Options and other independent living center's throughout the state also advocate for disability rights.
Unbelievably, many still have preconceived notions regarding the abilities of the disability community. For instance, the developmentally delayed can live independently. The aging do not need to be placed in nursing homes. The visually impaired can play sports. And wheelchair users are employable.
Some of the biggest hurdles that our society has to overcome are the misconceptions about those with mental health needs. Today's society has created a media frenzy around individuals with mental illnesses, painting them as violent criminals. Yes, people with mental illnesses do commit crimes, but so do those without mental illnesses. But there are numerous studies and significant research that proves there is no correlation between mental illness and violence. Most crimes are committed by individuals without mental illness.
It is important to educate our communities about the barriers that our fellow citizens encounter. As with any other Civil Rights movement, the need for more change and growth is still apparent. With Options for Independence's Disability Awareness Day and the nationally proclaimed Disability Mentoring Day, communities get a sneak peak into a world they may not be aware of. Together, programs such as these will hopefully begin to enlighten society on the need for change in the disability community.
Options' mission is to assist people with disabilities to gain opportunities, make their own decisions and become part of community life. Advocacy at all levels will revolutionize the way individuals with disabilities live.
Amanda Derby is the housing advocate for Options for Independence.
With so many people in the United States having a disability, one would wonder why so much discrimination still exists. As with other civil rights issues, the disability community has been struggling to defend its basic civil rights as Americans. Human rights refer to “the basic rights and freedoms, to which all humans are entitled, often held to include the right to life and liberty, freedom of thought and expression and equality before the law.”
The disability community is a strong and powerful demographic; a population that can greatly affect the U.S. job market, economy and politics. Surely, the disability community is doing just that. Over the last 17 years, the disability community has been making waves in government policy, challenging officials for more reform. Each day, individuals with disabilities encounter obstacles and prejudices that limit them. Instead of giving up, they continue to fight to make the world more accessible and aware of their needs, which is a constitutional right. Options and other independent living center's throughout the state also advocate for disability rights.
Unbelievably, many still have preconceived notions regarding the abilities of the disability community. For instance, the developmentally delayed can live independently. The aging do not need to be placed in nursing homes. The visually impaired can play sports. And wheelchair users are employable.
Some of the biggest hurdles that our society has to overcome are the misconceptions about those with mental health needs. Today's society has created a media frenzy around individuals with mental illnesses, painting them as violent criminals. Yes, people with mental illnesses do commit crimes, but so do those without mental illnesses. But there are numerous studies and significant research that proves there is no correlation between mental illness and violence. Most crimes are committed by individuals without mental illness.
It is important to educate our communities about the barriers that our fellow citizens encounter. As with any other Civil Rights movement, the need for more change and growth is still apparent. With Options for Independence's Disability Awareness Day and the nationally proclaimed Disability Mentoring Day, communities get a sneak peak into a world they may not be aware of. Together, programs such as these will hopefully begin to enlighten society on the need for change in the disability community.
Options' mission is to assist people with disabilities to gain opportunities, make their own decisions and become part of community life. Advocacy at all levels will revolutionize the way individuals with disabilities live.
Amanda Derby is the housing advocate for Options for Independence.
