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The Power of the ADA

This is the final part of a 5-part series on evolution of ADA and the disability experience from the perspective of a woman in the first generation of recognized disability rights. Click here to read the previous segment.

The demonstrations leading up to the passage of ADA showed how little legal rights people with disabilities had in the community. Had I been born even a few years sooner, my earliest memories would have been of a society that generally didn’t feel I was worth the effort of including. The ADA proudly proclaimed that we do have the right to be there, to go to school, to travel, go shopping, and see a movie without encountering barriers that exclude us.

The ADA has also provided me with the legal foundation to stand up for myself, knowing that the law is on my side and there are systems to enforce it. In 2001 I went to see Harry Potter with my friends on opening night. The theater was so full that no “wheelchair” spots remained, so I sat behind my friends so that we could all experience the movie together. I wasn’t obstructing any walkways, but the management claimed that I was a “fire hazard.” They insisted I move or be thrown out by security.

That authority could have scared me into complying, but I knew the law was on my side. I told them they could get security if they wanted, and explained how forcing me to move was a violation of my civil rights under ADA. The manager backed down and I stayed with my friends.

Other times, though, my word alone wasn’t enough to overcome a barrier. I once went into my local liquor store to buy drinks for a cookout, but when my assistant provided my ID at checkout the clerk demanded hers as well. I was 26 at the time, but she was 20. That she was underage shouldn’t have mattered. It was my purchase and I’d explained that she was there to help me, but the store refused to serve me.

In Rhode Island, the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities oversees ADA compliance and mediates disputes. After I explained the situation, they helped me to clarify legal requirements and negotiate a new carding policy with the establishment that allowed for reasonable accommodations, like the use of a direct support professional, without providing additional ID. Without ADA, I wouldn’t have ever been able to shop in that store again.

While the ADA has brought about significant changes and improvements in accessibility and inclusion, there are still areas that need progress. My journey reflects both the successes and ongoing challenges faced by people with disabilities. As we celebrate the ADA’s legacy, it’s important to continue advocating for full accessibility and equal rights for all.


 

OSCIL wants to hear from you!

What are your successes? What barriers continue to be a problem?

If you have a story you want to share or an independent living need you think we should know about, contact Allyson DuPont at allyson.dupont@oscil.org or call her at 401-738-1013 x. 20

For assistance with a specific issue or need, call OSCIL at 401-738-1013 or contact us here.

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