Sydney from Utah

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

In till I was 21, I never understood why I couldn’t spell or read they way others could do. I finally was taken seriously by my ADA administrator in college and I finally got the help I needed. ADA has helped me learn more about my self and helped me become better in my school studies and how I see my self.

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 ADA I struggle to take note in school. I never was able to write down things to keep up. After ADA intervention I was allowed to record notes that allow me to pay attention to what my professors and teachers are saying, not silently panicking that I would never remember this or be able to understand this.

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

I want to see more help in identifying and helping people understand that they might have a disability and help get them the help they need. In my earlier years of education my parents were told that I was ADHD, lazy, and just slow. They had to take matters into my own hands to find out what was going on with me. We had no support from the school I went to in how to find and receive help. I don’t want anyone else struggling for no reason when their are resources at their disposal.