The convergence of the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) with the coronavirus pandemic and the renewed emphasis in social justice causes me to reflect on where we are and where we need to go. Advances in technologies and sciences combined with activism that the ADA passage exemplifies resulted in a world that is much more physically accessible, a nation that offers more and better educational opportunities for many people, and a society that is more accepting of diversity. I will always appreciate enjoying life with extraordinary family and friends, living independently in our own home with all the assistance we need, and being able to communicate with people anywhere in the world. The ADA’s 30th Anniversary is resulting in me smiling and remembering all the phenomenal people who have worked, volunteered, and collaborated with me. All these are things I could only fantasize about growing up in the 1950s and 60s.
The coronavirus pandemic has clearly how fragile our world is and how quickly the world can change. The epidemic is reminding us of the preciousness of family and friends, and that we all require assistance. Many people are experiencing feelings that people with disabilities face every day. These include feeling isolated, unable to go where we want, depending on others, having people stand their distance when in public, and waiting long periods for medical appointments. We see that in many ways, nature rules all of us. Hopefully, we learn the importance of science and the need to heed its lessons.
The renewed emphasis on social justice is very clearly showing us that we have much work to do. We are learning that laws and regulations do not by themselves eliminate sexism, racism, homophobia, xenophobia, etc. We see that it is not enough to know what you are against without planning for what is needed. The Disability Movement, for example, has successfully seen the closures of institutions for people with disabilities to find prisons replacing them. Our inability to ensure that our cohorts adequately receive the required long term support services has resulted in the number of disabled people who are living in poverty, homeless, and or unemployed remaining the same or increasing. Emphasizing our needs without recognizing its applicability for all people, fosters our separateness. For example, shouldn’t all workers receive reasonable accommodations that the ADA mandates? Shouldn’t all children have an individual education plan as described in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?
The most encouraging thing about this period is witnessing young, articulate, and capable people ready and willing to take our society to its next level. Some action items we should focus on include:
-- Elect government officials that model civility, integrity, and the ability to compromise without sacrificing values.
-- Ensure that health-care-for-all includes long term community-based support services for all.
-- Re-invent policing that focuses on providing community services by unarmed civil servants.
-- Provide ways that everyone can have at least a livable income that allows them to afford food, housing, healthcare, and clothing for their family.
-- Ensure that all children and young adults can acquire the education and training they need to recognize their skills and talents enabling them to fulfill their potential.
-- Design and pilot service corps that provide jobs for all young adults aged 18-30 regardless of sex, race, religion, ethnicity, disability, or economic class.
-- Invest in non-fossil fuels, science, medicine, art, culture, and our nation’s infrastructure.
-- Invest in minority-owned businesses, including disabled-owned enterprises.
I look forward to seeing what the ‘new-normal’ entails.
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