ELLIE'S BLOG on Living Well with Disability

There has been tremendous progress over the last 15 years for people with disabilities.  Since the passage of the ADA in 1990 more people have been helped and our communities at large have become so much more aware of the fairness it creates.

I remember talking to a member of my church congregation about the recent modification of the ADA and her response was I can't believe it took us so long. (see my 10/19/08 blog Bush signs ADAA into Law) Indeed I remember Senator Dole commenting at the 10th anniversary of the ADA  on how people in Congress make great speeches about the plight of the disabled but that they do nothing to help them get out into the community. And he went on to mention that they can't even get into the Congress or other important government buildings here in Washington.

But that is all changing! The MS Activist blog reported on May 21 the exciting news that a              http://msactivist.blogspot.com/search?q=  commitment has been made by the House of Representatives to make the house more accessible to the disabled.

On May 20 they released the CAO 2OO9 Disability Report. This report shows the changes that will be enacted in the House of Representatives. At a press conference on its release House Majority leader Steny Hoyer remarked: "last year we strengthened the ADA, helping the law live up to its original promise of inclusion for all Americans with disabilities.  Here in the people's house, we must live by the letter and spirit of that law-and what's more, we can be an example to all Americans who come here from all over a country and the world."  For more on this report go to : http://majorityleader.house.gov/in_the_news/press_releases/index.cfm?pressReleaseID=3053      

In this report they had major changes including ramps,enlarging doorway's and building an access for the disabled to get to the speaker's rostrum. But they also included the simple things that we encounter every day.  Like not putting the clutter of boxes in hallways that interfere with people in wheelchairs,walkers canes and of course the visually impaired..  Having handicapped parking sites near the doorway's that a person would use to go into the building.  And of course curb cuts close by.  Also curb cuts everywhere where street crossing are.

Now there's no doubt that the people with disabilities who work in the House  of Representatives glass is being filled on their access ability.  I hope that in each of their individual homes and in their immediate community and other places they access their accessibility glass if not full is filling also.

How about your accessibility glass? Is your glass half full or half empty?  Is your family putting  things in the hallways that makes it feel like you're going through a jungle gym to get by?  Do you have the railings,ramps, bathroom modifications,wide and easy to open doorway's in your home? And all the other things including visual,auditory and technological tools that increase accessibility in your own home?  It's so easy to say "Oh I can manage, I can get around that"  You don't want to be a bother. You don't want to spend family money unless it's absolutely past ?."I must have time".  I understand I've been there! But let me tell you that every time I have made an increased accessibility change.. I can do more ,I am less tired and I am a much happier person to be around!

So is your accessibility glass half full or half empty? Think about it. Do you need to make some changes too?

                                                                                    ellie