Nicholas from Massachusetts

How has the ADA impacted your life regarding travel/mobility, education, employment, or any other aspect?

There is seemingly no end to the number of services, the institutional support, the broad acknowledgement of the potential which disabled persons have in so many areas of life, and the public awareness of disability. The greatest effect is that one needn’t rely on the progressive thinking, the well-motivated intentions of employers, or the patronage of one’s associates to get along in the world. Yet, one may also be stigmatized with the notion that employment, housing, or some other position was not deserved, but was the product of some sort of legal affirmation despite the fact that the ADA is not an affirmative action measure.

Can you share a “before and after” experience; e.g., before the ADA I couldn’t do X or was denied access to Y, and thanks to the ADA I can do Z.

Before the ADA I couldn’t vote without sighted assistance, but I can now.

What advances in disability rights would you like to see in the next 30 years?

Though my sisters and brothers in the community of disabled persons may disagree, I think the greatest advances would be twofold: one, physical anonymity as we achieve true equality as citizens, employees, family members, and social beings, and two, that access to the world of learning, to the treasures of our culture, and to gainful employment be made seamless, be kept in step with technological advancements, and be recognized by governmental and funding entities when it failed to do so.