What the ADA Means to Me

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was created to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination. These laws affect jobs, public transit, state and local government services, and telecommunications services.

A disability can limit opportunities to participate in the activities you enjoy, and that are important to you. The ADA provides a way of leveling out the field so individuals with disabilities can take part in community life at the same level those without disabilities.

For me, the ADA was all about accommodation. For work purposes, a reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done that enables someone with a disability to enjoy employment opportunities the same as someone without a disability. As far as life enrichment goes, accommodation means adapting or adjusting an activity or a job so it’s possible for someone with a disability to participate.

I never thought I’d need to request accommodation, but as I got older, I found more and more activities were becoming difficult, if not impossible. When I went for cataract surgery, I never thought it would make my vision worse. When my retina detached, I was faced with surgery and an extensive recovery period. Following that, I still had difficulty seeing in the dark especially if there were reflections like when driving through a construction zone. I’ve adapted by not driving at night. If I have to go somewhere when I’ll have to stay until it gets dark outside, I ask others to drive me.

I managed to get by at work for a while without having to drive in the dark, but eventually I was asked to participate in an activity that would mean going home in the evening, and I requested accommodation. My employers were quick to understand and reacted positively to the request.

This meant that I could take part in activities that were important to me which without the ADA might not have been possible. Yes, I am fortunate in that my employers are very sensitive to the needs of those with disabilities, where other employers may not be as accommodating. These laws are designed to ensure all businesses are just as considerate.

As a dog trainer, I have seen many individuals who wanted a dog to help them cope with their disability. Unfortunately, they could not afford to purchase a trained dog. The ADA clarified the laws surrounding service animals and supported people training their own dog. The ADA addresses what questions may be asked about the dog, allowing the handler to maintain his or her dignity and not have to divulge what that disability is.

With the support of the ADA laws, individuals who were struggling to cope with their disability can now train their own service dog. These dogs not only make life better for their handlers, but in some cases they actually save lives. They can be trained to open doors that allow their handler to take part in activities that enrich life. Without them, life is not just more difficult, but it’s more barren.

There are so many ways the ADA shapes life for the better for those who have a disability. The ADA made life better for people with disabilities. These laws exist to give those with disabilities a chance to take part in the activities they value, and to participate in a life that is inclusive and worth living.