Since July is the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law, I started thinking not only about what this law has done for me but, also what it has done for people with out a disability as well.
You may be thinking to yourself, “this law does not affect me at all” but, it probably does in some way, shape or form.Ā According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 5 Americans have a disability (www.cdc.gov).Ā That is 20% of the American population.Ā You may not even know that someone you know has a disability because it could be a disability that is not outwardly seen (like an intellectual disability or hemophilia)
If you are a person with out a disability, maybe the ADA has allowed you to get a job as a sign language interpreter to help deaf individuals communicate with their doctors or even help them communicate with friends over a video relay system.Ā
It’s possible that you work in the construction field and when constructing a new building, you make sure there is a ramp in place at the entrances or exits and that the doors are wide enough for wheelchair users to enter and exit the building.
Believe it or not, these are just a few examples of jobs that people have because of the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act!
If you are a person with a disability, maybe the ADA has helped you get a printer placed by your desk if the one you are supposed to use is too far of a walk for you to get to without getting too tired.Ā Maybe it has helped you get speak to type software installed on your work computer if it is difficult for you to type because of an impairment related to your hands or fingers.
These areĀ some examples of ways that the ADA has helped the disabled achieve their goals in life despite their obstacles.Ā There are procedures that need to be followed when requesting accommodations of any sort but, we need to be aware of their availability to help us in the first place.
How has the Americans with Disabilities Act influenced your life? What might you change about the law?