Happy Birthday, ADA!
Happy Birthday, Americans with Disabilities Act! Exactly 21 years ago today, you were passed, ensuring no disabled person be discriminated against. So, bring on the cake! Bring on the ice cream! Let’s celebrate!
I’ve been an intern with the League for the Blind and Disabled for almost three months now. I came in knowing nothing about disability awareness or rights — I just knew that if you have a handicap license plate you get to park closer to Walmart.
Did you know there was an Independent Living Movement, similar to the Civil Rights Movement? Do you even know what Independent Living implies? I didn’t for my first month at the League. I was working for something that I knew nothing about.
We at the League advocate for disabled people’s independence, for their opportunity to live life on their own, in their own homes, with their own jobs. That means we transcribe blind folks’ phone bills in Braille and give them talking clocks. It means we teach disabled folks to use canes and other adaptive equipment. That’s what independent living is all about: it’s not showing pity, it’s not turning the disabled into gods for crossing the street on their own. It’s about giving people the opportunity to live their lives.
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Last week I spent most of my work day calling consumers who had gotten their phone bills in Braille. I called hundreds of people from all over the U.S. All of them were grateful for our services (literally, all of them). Some told me their stories, about people taking advantage of them for their age or disability.
By the end of the day I was irate. When people’s rights are violated, whenever they’re treated less than human, I can’t help but get worked up. How dare they!
As a result, I’m working on a poem about all the ways we categorize people, and how we try to disassociate ourselves with groups that make us uncomfortable. It’s not close to being done, but when it is, I’ll be sure to post it.
I do encourage you to keep your eyes open today and the rest of the week for results of ADA. Be glad when you see wheelchair ramps, handicap parking signs, and Braille ATMs. It means the government is doing its job. Ha!
July 26, 2011