Rob from California

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

Before the ADA there were no: curb cuts, detectable warnings, talking ATMs, paratransit services, announcements of transit stops, companies with disability answer desks and few audible pedestrian signals. Now all these things make my life a whole lot easier.

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.

In the early ninety’s I moved from a small city in northern Marin county to take a job in Palo Alto as an access technology specialist. To take the bus home I had to cross El Camino Real and California avenue before that intersection had an audible pedestrian signal. One day I was about half way across when some joker revved up his engine and scared the living daylights out of me. Audible signals give me lots more confidence and have sure made my life a whole lot easier.

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

For me as a person who is blind, my hope is that our 70% unemployment rate drops significantly. It should with all this wonderful new access technology we now have.