For the past three or so years I've been volunteering at a center for independent living called the Adaptables in Winston Salem, North Carolina. This company provides key services to people who self identify as a person with a disability to aid them to become more Independent. I'm very proud to say that I am a volunteer there, and I love what I do every day. It is amazing to see the people I work alongside show such care and compassion to the people we help out in the community. I believe we need more people who are as passionate and dedicated as them in the world.
Back in the day, meaning the early to mid-1900s, people with disabilities; either physical or intellectual, were not seen as normal people of society. Many people were institutionalized, and they were not treated properly. Being institutionalized in nursing homes and hospitals still, have very negative effects on people who want to be more independent. When people were able to stay in their homes and receive the services that they needed was when people were better mentally. Restricting someone's independence can have a really negative impact on their life that can result in depression and anger.
In 1962 a man by the name of Ed Roberts was a major disability rights activist. Roberts got Polio when he was 14. He used a wheelchair and an iron lung. He was accepted into the University of California at Berkeley, but they would not admit him on-site into the school claiming that "his iron lung would not fit inside of the dormitory", and the campus was not accessible. Roberts continued to fight his way to being able to attend the school and helping to create cutouts for him and others to be able to go inside the buildings in his wheelchair.
Roberts helped pave the way for Disability Rights and the Independent Living Movement. He and other students in the Berkeley disability community helped create the first grassroots independent Living Center in California. Their actions helped pass the Rehabilitation Act in 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act in 1990, which are items I will talk about in my upcoming articles.
This year marks the 29th year of the ADA. Every year since the Act was passed in congress, hundreds of people from the disability community join together from all over America and sometimes the world to come together and march to the Capitol Building in Washington DC, to have the chance to talk to our legislators about the rights of people with disabilities.
The big topic this year was the move to pass the 'Disability Integration Act' (S.117 & HR. 555). This Act was introduced by New York Democrat and Minority Leader Charles Schumer and Colorado Republican Cory Gardner. It is Bi-Partisan; meaning that both parties support the bill. This act is meant to end the "institutional bias, and help provide people with disabilities including seniors with home and community-based services".
Racism is a big and terrible issue that is everywhere. Even in small minority groups like the disability community, racism is prevalent. The DIA and other supporters are hoping to end that. That is why integration within the community is so important.
In the 1960s when the Disability Rights movement first began, people with disabilities were right alongside the Civil Rights Movement, and they had joined forces in order to make a difference. There is more power in numbers.
This year was my third year attending the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) conference. Every time I've been to this conference, it has been an eye-opening experience. This year was the most because such serious issues were happening around us, and people were so determined to make a difference and change the ways disability organizations and federal organizations treat minority groups within the disability community.
A woman at the NCIL conference said, "Disability Rights are Human Rights, and Human Rights are Civil Rights". That statement truly meant a lot to me and I hope others can see it too.
