CELEBRATE BUT ACT When I was injured in 1983, I couldn't imagine the changes that would occur in society as a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A movie theater where I could sit and watch next to my friends? Unheard of. So many positive changes in our lived environments and our ability to enjoy sports, entertainment, and travel. Increased access to employment and higher education has grown exponentially. We certainly need to celebrate. But the necessity to act has not gone away. 34 years later I find myself still fighting the basics; many days I feel like I am dealing with segregation. There are steps built in new construction. Certificates of occupancy provided when a newly constructed building has many ADA compliance violations. These include counters that are not accessible in stores, hotels where I find myself fighting to just be able to hit the elevator call button because a garbage can is placed underneath, parking spots with no hashtags to allow a lift to open, employers thinking it is too difficult to work with someone with a disability so they don't hire them, and transportation that has many barriers for all disabilities. I could go on. It's not convenient to have these barriers and it's certainly not convenient to always have to fight. I've always said it takes a village, but the village includes those that make these barriers when they are not needed. Include individuals with disabilities at the table. Ask, research, it's not hard. We are moving exponentially into a new era of AI and other advanced technology. This is an opportunity to get individuals with disabilities at the table so that we move towards a world that is more inclusive and not less. Please, let's all be involved in making inclusion the rule and not the exception. It's a win-win. Be willing to learn, understand, and change your mentality if you think that accommodating those with disabilities and compliance with the ADA will hurt your business or be too complex and expensive. There is ample evidence that will show otherwise. #ADA #inclusion #WeAreBillionStrong #violations #ItTakesAVillage Debra Ruh Kimberly B. Annie Tulkin Ali Ingersoll Gerard Arnum Soula Antoniou
Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act! We honor and celebrate those who fought for this landmark legislation that has been instrumental in advancing the rights of individuals with disabilities. As we forge ahead, we lift up Disability leaders still paving the way to equal opportunities and inclusion.
On this 34th anniversary of the ADA, this is a call to all Americans with Disabilities to Act! Celebrate, protect, defend, declare and act on your rights today!
#ADA34
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