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.