Announcements

You have heard the story before. July 26, 1990, on the lawn of the White House, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

ADA came on the heels of the Rehab Act of 1973 that prohibited discrimination based on disability. This determined that the Disabled have the same rights as other citizens. ADA was an attempt to identify those rights and to protect them with law. Much of ADA was centered on those who were blind and those with mobility limitations. After all, Justin Dart, the father of the ADA, used a wheelchair.

In 1990, almost 80% of those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) were not living with their families in community settings. In the first decade following the signing of the ADA, that number of institutionalized decreased by 64%. There is no doubt that this was a transformational time in our country and changes continued.

We have made progress towards greater community integration for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). In the 1960’s an estimated 200,000 disabled were institutionalized. A 2020 study published earlier this year says there are now 16,000 people with IDD in institutions nationwide. These changes came as a result of the actions of self-advocates and allies.

All of us, allies or self-advocates, can continue the work of our predecessors. AWS Foundation, through its grants, education, and advocacy, acknowledges that ADA, as defined in 1990, is the MINIMUM! ADA makes buildings more accessible, but does it make them inclusive? We educate on elements of Universal Design. We fund organizations that come alongside us and aspire to make this shared community accessible to everyone. There is more we can do. After 34 years, I think it is time for ADA to have a refresh.

Here are a few suggestions from the staff of AWS Foundation.

• Exterior doors for public buildings should have automatic door openers. (If a building has multiple doors and entrances, there should be at least one on each side). Whether in a wheelchair, with a walker, with limited upper body strength, carrying a package, or holding a child’s hand, not everyone can open a door, especially heavy ones on a windy day.
• All signage should be readable, meaning high contrast colors and basic large fonts. If I have low vision or are colorblind, brown letters on a gold background could be invisible to me. Fonts need to be functional over artistic. Use of smartphone apps to assist with reading signs is virtually disabled when the sign is with low contrast or in a “creative or artistic” font, one too thin, too bold, or too extreme.
• Update accommodations considering Technology access. In 1990, the internet was in its infancy, and there were no smart phones. ADA resulted in all signage including braille. Fewer people learn to read braille, opting instead for apps that read signs or the use of screen readers. RFD Technology or an app like Step-Hear provides support for the deaf. Cochlear Implants are increasingly common. Let’s keep up!
• While talking about signage, can we include simple icons to indicate environmental elements, such as potential loud noises or other stimuli that might be alarming to neurodivergent individuals? Not everyone is literate. The use of different icons can help not only the illiterate but those who English is not their primary language. Additionally, picture menus at restaurants provide similar assistance for those who have difficulty reading or understanding menus.
• Every public building should have a family bathroom with a diaper changing platform that can hold more than 40 pounds.
• Alternate text, captions and transcripts will be on every website. Too few websites are truly accessible and inclusive.
• Affordable Public transportation is available with accommodations for power wheelchairs. (Come on self-driving vehicles!). Uber and Lyft…take note!
• Smartphones and credit cards can NOT be the only means of obtaining services. Whether for the elderly, those with poor credit ratings, IDD or other disabilities, not everyone can navigate or afford a smartphone.
• All reservations made, tickets sold, or customer interfaces include the statement “Do you need any accommodations?” Just by asking this simple question will let everyone with a disability know that their presence is welcomed at a new location. More businesses will learn that a social story on their website will attract more customers.
• Quiet options are available. Not every restaurant or store needs to be filled with the pump of loud music. We used to have “no smoking” areas in places. A “low noise” space can help quiet an environment for those sensitive to noise or auditory processing disorders. Those who are hard of hearing will appreciate it also. Hearing aids magnify all sounds so that techno music is even louder!
• Barriers in job applications need to be removed. ADA mandated employers provide reasonable accommodations and those need to start with the application itself. There should be a variety of ways to apply and interview for employment. Too many disabled people are still unemployed or underemployed.

If you want to grow your customer base, consider how welcoming you are for those with disabilities. We don’t have to wait for the law to change. These are all elements that can be included in your place of business and our community at any time.

This is just a start of the list that will hopefully stimulate further discussion. We would appreciate hearing from you and expanding this list to be more inclusive.