"The ADA represents America at its best. "
Support Local Organizations - p. 2
Press 6 Years Since ADA Passage Has It Made A Difference? YES!
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by Wendy S. Brower
Senate Candidates On The Issues
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This Month: ~ r a n s ~ o r t ~ t&i oEmployment n In this second installment of Our firsf question, concernour series of questions direct- ing TRANSPORTATION, ed to the candidates for U.S. reads as follows: Senate, ACCESS PRESS, in conjuncion with VOICES "Transportation services for FOR DlSABILITY RIGHTS people with diabilities are (a Minnesota political aidion closely tied to the level and committee dedicated to ex- scope of services which are pressing and advocating for provided to nondisabled peothe issues and concerns of ple via regular route services. people with disabilities), will be focusingon issuesof JOBS "Would you support stronger policies and a more compreand TRANSPORTATION. hensive accessible public Since last month, two of the transportation system for evcandidates, Bert McKasy and eryone? And would you s u p John Herman, have decided port a stronger, more oomprenot to continue their cam- hensive paratransitsystemfor paigns. So we will be hearing people with disabilities who this month fiwn Senator Paul cannot ride regular public Wellstone,the DFL candidate; transpo6onT' Dean Barkley, the Reform Party candidate; and the three The EMPLOYMENT quesremaining Republican candi- tion is: dates:Rudy Boschwitz,Monti I "The unem&ment rate for people with dieidities is Moreno, and Steve Young. clow to. 75%. Tlris i s m
even though millions of dollars are spent each year in training and education. "Would you support stronger -.
work incentives for people with disabilities so that we would not lose valuable medical coverage and b u s i n g subsidies as a result of anployment? And would yau support the reinstatement of the Targeted Job Tax Credit for employers who hire qualified individuals with disabilities?'' ASwedid bmnonth, we asked the candidates to keep their responsesbrief, alteinpting tb keep the focus on philosophies and ideas rather than legislatian. Once qh, we printed their-= exactly as we meived them.
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As I write this on July 26th, 1996, I am reminded that today's date marks the sixth anniversary of passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Today 49 million Americans -that's one in five-celebrate being welcomed into the American mainstream.
people with disabilities when designing buildings, and employers have improved their hiring policies. Grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, banks, movie theaters and other places where the public is welcome are becomiq "& ability-friendly".
Six years ago 1 was at the White House when President Bush signed the ADA into law. It was a spectacular day
Executive director of OPTIONS, Center for Independent Living in East Grand ~orks years
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ability. Hardly a day goes by when I don't hear about some school superintendentoremplqa=
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l u c h money. It sounds Sike thev'resavin~thatwoplewith pensive in today's economy. It feels like people with disW e s are to blame.
I say that's a lot of hooey! A national group, the AdvZsory. Commission on Intergovernplace of business. kt [a ,'i.mental Relations, of which Minnesota, with a large &r Arne Carlsan is a ing population of e l k 4 ,wants to modify &a 1% people, most realize that' weaken it. Their prok . $fs!Jiplain good business jsa4iiS.Q-muetoast's way the national press c&, t crowd was mostly cmprisad tp their places accessi- torebet ofaverage folks fiom all pam bk. dPhs)e is still a ways to equality. started to smart and creative ones v&h of the country -many were m b u waving American flags. opein m m l e with vision, address these issues disabilities." head-on. Until that remarkable day ' w b ;the ADA became the The Americans with D&&sLikethe Ho~kinsSchool Dislaw o f & hd, people with ities Act is more than a law; h f $id. disabilities were a b d very is asymbol that saysto people limited opportunities. Frank- with disabilities, "Welcome Recendy I p b d one of the ly, people with disabilities abdstd, come join us." This statk7s&cessibilityssyrertsto found it difictilt, or impossi- feels very different from the tell me which scko0l W c $ ble, to do m e of the most days when people with dis- in Minnesota is doing the be& basic, day&-day things that abilities were shut out, hid- jobwhen it comesto the AD& almost everyone else takes for den away in institutions, and She quickly responded, "The granted;simplethings likeget: stigmatized. The future with best is Hopkins." ti& an education, landing a the ADA will be a whole lot jab,finding a home, going to better than the bad old days I wondered why, so I spoketo a inovie, eahg, at a restau- before it. the district's SWADA coorrant, riding the bus, or particdinator. ipating in a civic event. Evch though the ADA is law, the struggle for freedom and Shetoldm~Wehavewofked Sixyears have passed and I'm dignity continues. ' had to create a belief system o h a h d y"Has the ADA and vision for e d n d o n in made I difference?" The ADA and other laws that . Hopkins schoolsthat incfudes empowerpeoplewithdisabil- ALL students. When we run Without hesitating for a sin- ities are under constant attack into snags along the way, ingle moment, my answer is from special interest groups, evitably tied to resources of "Yes." the media and pliticians. So ose form or another, we have 'far, much of the debate over that foundation of belief and Due to the ADA our commu- different ways to balance the vision to hll back on. It's nity now seriously considers national budget is focused on. . important to be intentional the rights of people with dis- program cuts that will have a about the goal of inclusion." abilities in school settings, severe impact on familiesand ardtiteeag now think W t individuals &&ed by dism t . an g.5
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