Celebrate Equality and Differences
Holidays seem to pop up all over the place. Anyone who wants to have a holiday can usually get it. It may not be a national holiday or even an ‘official’ one, but it still hits the calendar!
There are food holidays, animal holidays, sports, literary, music events and more. Some like our historical holidays are important to remember because of the sacrifices given to make these events valid. Others are just fun and that’s a good thing. Some are awareness holidays, and these are important too.
Awareness holidays may not seem relevant to the average person, but that’s exactly the point! Medical awareness and understanding is important to each of us, because none of us know what might happen to us, on any given day. We are not promised a life free from freak accidents, medical situations caused from unhealthy life styles (or even something from within our DNA), or a birth disability or an accident that leaves us with a disability.
People have for years, been advocating for people with disabilities. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the first president with a disability, was one of the first persons in higher government who advocated for changes. But given the mindset of the era, even he held the belief that a disability was not only abnormal, but shameful; and if at all possible a situation to be overcome medically or at the very least ‘fixed’.
Rehabilitation and vocational training was gaining a foothold in the United States in the 1940’s when veterans were returning from World War II. Many viewed the sacrifices these soldiers gave worthy of care when they came home, as reason for moving forward with services and equality for those who fought in the war that left them disabled.
But there was still much to be done. Buildings needing a means of access for those in wheelchairs and bathroom facilities needed updating and even store accessibility. Transportation was almost non-existent at that time for those with disabilities,
As we moved into the 1970’s, there was a huge disparity in education for children; while many believed anyone with a disability should be institutionalized or put in an asylum. Employment remained a challenge, as was accessing public services, while other bleak and dismissive perspectives or stereotyping of this people group continued.
In 1990, President George Bush signed into law the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) to be celebrated on July 26 every year. This law recognizes those with disabilities, so that they may be given the same rights and opportunities as all their ‘able-bodied’ peers. This covers those in public life, schools, transportation, workplaces and more.
The goal of this law is to enable them to live independently should they desire to do so, without all the barriers of social, economic or other challenges thrown at them because of their disability. Certainly barriers remain and there are many challenges that must be worked on and through. But this is a start. Even now, recognizing that wheelchairs navigate differently on various flooring, or the challenge of dressing room maneuverability in a store or eating in a restaurant, still requires practice and patience for both the person with a disability and business owners who are still learning!
Often medical barriers for the disability people group are also a huge concern. It isn’t uncommon that medical personnel are not trained on how to care for many with disabilities. They haven’t learned how to adapt examinations or communicate effectively for those seeking treatment. This law also begins the process that these situations are not only recognized but remedied.
Those with disabilities deserve to be treated fairly, respectfully and kindly. Each person, regardless of ability, race, age, or other difference, should be recognized for who they are, not by what they can’t seem to do. Each person deserves to be permitted to be who he is, without guilt or shame. Let this day, July 26, be a reminder that we are all created equal, even if we are each different, just as we are designed to be!