The Access Center for Independent Living’s recent Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebration showed that while the fight for Disability Rights has come a long way, disability rights advocates still have work to do.
“This day not only celebrates the ADA, but also serves to bring awareness and to break down barriers that people with disabilities face every day. This disability community celebrates the ADA with great pride as this is a historic piece of legislation,” ACIL Director Jeremy Caffee explained in his opening remarks.
Jeremy went on to explain how despite the progress since the passage of the ADA in 1990 discrimination still exists for the one in four Americans with disabilities. This opened a discussion of the importance of honoring the legacy of the ADA and reaffirming our commitment to disability rights and creating a more accessible society for all.
City of Dayton Commissioner, Darryl Fairchild, who is a wheelchair user, was involved in the discussion and gave an ADA address following Jeremy’s remarks. His address highlighted the strengths and diversity of the disability community, as well as the importance of allyship and working together to bring about change.
Maria Matzik, Education and Advocacy Specialist at ACIL followed Commissioner Fairchild’s call to work together to bring about change by explaining that while it is important to celebrate victories like the ADA, it is even more important that we not forget the sacrifices of those who came before us.
“This fight is far from over. We must always remember the history behind this legislation. We should never forget the fight that so many dedicated their lives to. We must honor our family of disability rights advocates and activists who have gone before us and died fighting for the rights that we all enjoy and expect today,” said Maria.
A video titled Disability Rights Activists Movement Documentary was shared via YouTube after Maria’s declaration. The video detailed the discrimination that people with disabilities faced prior to the Disability Rights Movement, which begun in the 1960s. It also explains milestones that were precursors to the ADA, like Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which later became known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Capitol Crawl.
Following the video, Maria introduced Mike Oxford. Mike currently serves as the Board Treasurer of The Partnership For Inclusive Disaster Strategies. As someone who has been involved in state and national advocacy for over 40 years, Mike has many stories about the advocacy that led up to the passage of the ADA. During the celebration he shared insight into the compromise it took to make the ADA law.
Many people in the disability community know that the use of Personal Assistants is something that is needed for many members of our community to truly be free. Many people don’t realize that the use of Personal Assistants is something that was taken out of the original ADA of 1988. Having the use of Personal Assistants under federal law was something we had to compromise on to get the ADA of 1990 passed. The use of Personal Assistants under federal law is something we are still fighting for today,” said Mike.
A second video titled Commemorating Thirty years of the Americans with Disabilities Act was also shared via YouTube during the celebration. The video detailed disability history and how it is an important part of civil rights that is often overlooked. The video opens viewers eyes up to the fact that the 504 sit-in, which took place over five decades ago, is still the largest and longest sit-in ever recorded in United States history, but it is not often used as an example of the change that can happen when people come together.
After a discussion of where we are today in terms of disability rights and the work that still needs to be done to create an accessible society for all followed. The topic of public transit and how even though those with disabilities have the right to use it, many parts of the country still do not have paratransit was touched on. The fact that half a million people who need Personal Assistants are stuck on waiting lists for caregiving services was discussed. Furthermore, the differences in waivers that give people with disabilities access to Personal Assistants from state to state was talked about.
“Years ago, people with disabilities having rights was a big deal. Now it is not a big deal, so we need to scale up and work together to advance. If we scale up and work together to advance, then we will eventually be able to get a home and community-based services program implemented nationwide. If we work together, I see that on the horizon. I also think we will be able to get more funding for other much-needed things like housing and transportation, but we have to work together. It is great to recognize leaders of the movement, but it takes the regular person with a good heart and a good will chipping in to make advancements happen, so find your niche and start plugging away,” said Mike.
The ADA Celebration ended with Commissioner Fairchild reading a proclamation from the office of the Mayor of Dayton, Jeffrey Mims Jr, declaring July 26th, 2024, ADA Celebration Day in Dayton, affirming the commitment of the mayor to continue advocacy around the rights of those with disabilities until full equality is realized.
If you would like to join ACIL in fight for advancement of disability rights, contact the center at 937-341-5202 or email Maria at [email protected]
