What does ADA mean to me? It is often said that ADA is like an equal rights amendment for the disabled and that is true in many ways. I see the ADA law as being a starting point a way to try and equalize the world for the disabled. ADA provides basic guidelines for institutions both private and public to make them accessible and with equal opportunities for all.

ADA is not a crutch to be leaned on and used to force businesses to make change; it is a banner to be held high, to push for a higher standard of awareness, understanding and acceptance. To recognize that not only are the disabled worthy of our respect but also to realize that every single one of us could and very likely will become in need of accommodation and accessibility. We need to approach access from our own personal, perhaps even selfish perspective; what if it was my child who needed accommodation? What if it was my sibling? What if it was my parents? My grandparents? What it if was me?

We look for ADA to help us find ways to help all fit it, to empower all to achieve their best. Those with disabilities often want more than anything to not just fit in and be accepted but to be a productive part of society.

I contracted polio at age 18 months do to a shortage of the vaccine. I started in public schools in the early ‘60s, there was little to no guidance at that time to help deal with and accommodate the disabled. In 3rd grade I was literally saved by being able to attend Crippled Children’s Hospital and School, now a part of Lifescape, in Sioux Falls. I was able to get a good grade school and high school education while learning to deal with a somewhat unaccommodating world, I went on to “normal” colleges, eventually graduating and teaching at the collegiate level for 33 years so far. I fully understand the value and significance of ADA; had it been around when I was younger my life would have been much better, the future for those that now follow should be even brighter.

In my own world I have been driven to go beyond acceptance, to try to make a positive difference. Much of where I got to today started long before ADA became law, before PL 94-142 (often referred to as the mainstreaming law) became law. Back then disabled were often looked at as someone to be pitied, someone to feel sorry for, I fought that all my life, in fact I spent much of my life trying very hard to not be that poor little crippled boy, but to prove I was much more than that. ADA works to change that, to help make people understand that being disabled is not something to look down upon but to be accepted to be appreciated, to be part of the world and society.

ADA paves the way to a better life for all disabled and by doing so a better life for all.

ADA is just a starting point, giving basic minimal laws and guidelines, we need to look beyond those minimums that allow for access and look to do more to move ahead, to go from allowing access to openly welcoming access. The disabled have a lot to offer this world, beyond the fact that many make extremely hard-working dedicated employees; they also offer us a chance to see things from other perspectives, to help us learn about empathy.