inclusive | Jen's Perspective Blog

National Disability Independence Day on July 26th commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26th, 1990.

The ADA provides protection from employment discrimination as well as better access to goods, services, and communications for people with disabilities.

As of 13 years ago a burst aneurysm cost me my mobility. As a wheelchair dependent person I can tell you from experiences, more needs to be done.

Like most of us I never gave the ADA adaptions much thought. As someone who uses them now most don’t go far enough. Have you ever considered something as easy as signing a receipt, or cutting something for dinner. Regular tables, counters, are the wrong height or impossible to get to.

Have you ever tried to do something as simple as an eye exam, dentist appointment or a Gyn? It can’t be done if you can’t transfer by yourself to thier equipment or chairs. I’ve even encountered Dr’s offices that cannot accommodate even some attached to hospitals. I sometimes feel like I lost not only my mobility but my rights to be anything resembling an independent person.

I am glad some more things are being done as technologies advance. As a Floridian I was glad to see things like beach mats that allow a chair closer to shore. I hope the future brings even more advances for those of us who need them. I am so thankful for my family who support me advocating for myself. My husband is my biggest and sometimes loudest advocate, especially if you try trampling on my health, care, or rights.

The day not only celebrates the anniversary of the ADA but it also serves several other purposes. First, the law first broke down barriers individuals with disabilities faced every day. It also marked a timeline of change that soon developed. Over time, common barriers such as narrow doors and small bathroom stalls became accessible to wheelchairs. Other examples include braille signs and crosswalks for the vision impaired. The changes improved mobility and safety.

Beyond structural changes, the act motivated designers to enhanced technology. Often, physical limitations restrict a person’s ability to access legal or health information. New assistive technologies make it possible to obtain the necessary information.

As accessibility improves, the world continues to change in other ways. For example, many of today’s brick and mortar businesses are ADA compliant. However, more and more businesses switch to online versions. Those websites need to meet the needs to be accessible, too.

With each advancement in technology, designers need to incorporate multifunctional approaches to fit every ability. Celebrate the freedom the ADA inspires with forward-thinking design and technology.

These conditions still have a long way to go. Did you know that insurance companies do not consider it nessasary to do simple things like take a bath or access the bathroom in your home? I simply do not have adequate time and space to describe the impossible scenarios that are supposed to be for people like me. You cannot go to the dentist, eye doctor, or for Women the Gynecologist. If you cannot stand up to sit in those special chairs or get on medical exam tables you’re out of luck. Countless Dr offices and even in hospitals. I have to have imaging procedures done at hospital facilities only with arrangements to transfer to machines because I lost my ability to stand and walk. Try getting a wheelchair between the rows of clothing in stores. My absolute favorie (said with scathing sarcasm), are the ADA compliant checkouts at stores that are not reachable in a wheelchair.

I attempted getting a grant for bathroom access. If done correctly I would need a ceiling lift installed. A grant will not cover this unless they can use thier choice of provider even if it is not what a person needs to accomplish this. I was so disappointed after the process because contractors simply cannot install specialized equipment and therefore cannot be paid with grant funds.

I urge people to take a look around and keep improving these. I hope this draws more awareness to it. ADA compliant is no where near the standards that are needed to actually accommodate those of us who are now disabled.

NATIONAL DISABILITY INDEPENDENCE DAY HISTORY

National Disability Independence Day recognizes the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990.

HOW TO OBSERVE #DisabilityIndependenceDay

If you are an employer or designer, consider how accessible your business is to people with disabilities. The ADA empowers people with disabilities to stand up for their rights, too. Give shout outs to accessible businesses and organizations. On July 26th, unite with them and use #DisabilityIndependenceDay to share on social media.

Each year on October 5, people across the nation observe National Do Something Nice Day.

This observance is very similar to National Random Acts of Kindness Day, which is celebrated on February 17.

It would be ideal if everyone lived their lives doing kind things on a daily basis and without thinking about it. We all get caught up in our fast-paced lifestyles. However, kindness should never be sacrificed to get ahead in the world. Kindness doesn’t require grand gestures. Though, when able, those are acceptable, too.

Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out. ~Frank A. Clark

In a matter of seconds, we hold the power to change the course of a person’s day by being nice. The person’s day in question might even be our own. Some things that takes very little time at all and almost no effort include:

Noticing someone’s signal in traffic and allowing them into your lane
Picking up the neighbor’s newspaper on your daily walk and placing it within easy reach
Opening a door for another person
Giving your place in line to the person with only three items
Tipping your service staff an extra dollar or two more than you usually would
Give a compliment
Encourage a student with an idea for a solution
Read to a child
Listen to someone who is lonely

Explore More…

Spread love into the world around you. Here are some great opportunities, Be an Angel Day, Random Acts of Kindness, World Kindness Day, Kiss of Hope Day, National Compliment Day, Do A Grouch A Favor Day, Cheer up the Lonely Day, National Joygerm Day, National Month of Hope, Inspire Your Heart with Art, Good Samaritan Day, National Soup It Forward Day, Make A Friend Day, Do Something Nice Day, Make A Difference Day, National Gratitude Day, National Day of Encouragement, National Brave Day, Care Bears Share Your Care Day, Love is Kind Day, Upsy Daisy Day, Self Care Awareness Month, Self Improvement Month, Universal Hour of Peace, World Smile Day,Happiness, Happens Day, Happiness Happens Month, National Cuddle Up Day, National Loving Day, Summersgiving, National Play Catch Week, International Drop A Rock Day, International Clown Week, International Top Spinning Day, Hunt For Happiness Week, Best Friends Day, National Find A Rainbow Day,

HOW TO OBSERVE #DoSomethingNiceDay

Do something nice. The something can be anything from buying a cup of coffee for someone in line at the coffee shop to giving a compliment to the tired clerk. Maybe the day calls for sending flowers with a card that says “just because,” or asking the neighbors over for a barbecue in the backyard or mowing the lawn for someone. Use #DoSomethingNiceDay to post on social media.