9 Ways America Would Be Different Without The ADA

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#AmericaWithoutADA - How would America be different if the Americans with Disabilities Act had never passed?
It is hard to get a handle on what the Americans with Disabilities Act has accomplished and meant to disabled Americans for the last 25 years. As a disabled person myself, I have been trying to think of a way to sum up the ADA’s importance.

Pretty much everyone in the disability community celebrates the ADA, but it’s a very glass half full / glass half empty thing for us. How each of us evaluates the ADA says as much about our own personalities and individual experiences than about the law itself. Unfortunately there aren’t many objective measures of the ADA's success or failure. How do we assess the value of the ADA? Has it really made much of a difference?

Maybe we should ask, “What would America be like today, if the ADA had not become law in 1990?"

Set aside the very strong possibility that an ADA of some kind would have passed eventually, in 1995 or maybe 2000. Let’s suppose instead that after failing to pass in 1990, the whole idea of a civil rights law to cover disabled Americans falls out of favor entirely.

Here are 9 ways America would be different today, without the ADA:

1. Most buildings of all kinds built after 1992 would have unnecessary barriers like narrow doorways and steps at entrances. Facilities and features for disabled people would be rare, separate, hidden from view, and hard to find.

2. Disabled people would only venture out into the community or travel for bare essentials. Most recreational places like restaurants, theaters, stadiums, hotels and motels would lack accessibility restrooms, restricting disabled people to only the briefest visits.

3. Sidewalk curb ramps would be rare, and wheelchair users riding in the street would be a major local irritant issue, similar to cars vs. bikes.

4. A handful of colleges and universities would be known for their accessibility and accommodation practices, and disabled people would have to go to them or not go to college at all. A few very expensive private colleges would probably be founded just for students with specific kinds of disabilities.

5. Virtually all disability activism would consist of groups representing specific disabilities lobbying for very targeted benefits and privileges, plus individuals raising money to pay for personal needs. The concept of “disability rights” would be viewed abstractly, discussed mainly by theorists and academics but unfamiliar to most disabled people.

6. There would be huge opportunity and participation gaps between disabled people with some wealth, who could pay for their own accommodations in workplaces and other areas, and those too poor to do so.

7. Far fewer disabled people would even attempt to get jobs, since they would be told quite plainly that they are not being hired because of their disabilities. Mentally ill people would find it almost impossible to get jobs of any kind, as employers would regularly and legally probe into whether applicants had any mental health histories.

8. Elderly people would move into nursing homes and similar facilities sooner and in much higher numbers, due in part to less accessible communities, and also because of the lack of any meaningful commitment to the principals of “most integrated setting."

9. Very few buses trains, or subways would be wheelchair accessible, mostly in the biggest cities and on a handful of the busiest routes. Accessible, affordable public transportation in rural areas would not exist, apart from a few vans operated irregularly by disability non-profits, nursing homes, and churches.

What do you think would be different today without the ADA? Join a Twitter hashtag … #AmericaWithoutADA

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The President Gets It

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First of all, make sure to move the slider over to just before the 1 hour mark, because up until then it’s all title screen. Also, don’t skip the introduction, because it’s amazing. It’s inspiring without being saccharine.

President Obama does seem to understand the fundamental concept of the ADA and of the disability rights movement. The story about his father-in-law is on point, admiring his perseverance, but pivoting to how much easier life would have been for him if the ADA had been law back then. As the young woman introducing the President noted, it’s not magic. It’s not even really about character. It’s about accessibility, accommodation, and equal opportunity.

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Weekly Reading List

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Illustration of a stack of books of different colors.
A selection of disability-related articles and blog posts I read last week, but didn’t have a chance to link to or discuss. It’s an opportunity to catch up with some of the good stuff that’s out there, but doesn’t fit neatly into the week's “big stories.”

Emily Ladau, The Disability Dialog - July 16, 2015

Activists are admired in the abstract, but the truth is that very few manage to be consistently liked. It’s one of the few real downsides to being an activist … on any topic, but maybe especially on disability issues. By definition, activists find fault with others. In the disability sphere, they typically find fault with people and institutions that mean well, or at least think they mean well. Plus, we have to find rather obscure, nit-picky faults that few others even see, but which are in fact hugely important. This is one of the reasons why I’m a much better thinker than I am an activist, and I definitely get where Emily is coming from here.

Alice Wong, Disability Visibility Project - July 15, 2015

There is so much more to do to make life better for Americans with disabilities, and Alice Wong gives a nice, brief, frustrated rundown of just three.

Stephen Hobbs, The Gazette - July 20, 2015

This is a stunningly good, in-depth, intelligent investigation into how the ADA’s local government and accessibility provisions get ignored in some communities. It digs into multiple failures … governments that never did a decent Self-Evaluation or Transition Plan, local code officials who claim they can’t enforce accessibility standards because of legal technicalities, and businesses that fall back on the assumption that if there aren’t any complaints, it must be OK. The only thing missing from where is sit is to ask what, if anything, people with disabilities and disability rights organizations in this area of Colorado tried to do over the last 25 years to deal with these issues, most of which could have been easily solved long ago. I think it’s one of the least discussed weaknesses in ADA implementation … the lack of a coherent, agreed upon and effective strategy by the disability rights movement.

It kind puts the Alice Wong and Emily Ladau’s discussions of disability activism into perspective. The mix of anger and ambivalence may be both a cause, and eventually another effect of situations like this one in Colorado. More about this later, maybe ...

Sally Gainsbury, Financial Times - July 19, 2015

I have been trying to follow and understand what has been happening to disability benefits in the United Kingdom. It’s confusing. On the one hand, the UK seems to have a somewhat simpler system of support benefits than we have in the U.S. However, it’s hard to tell from the names of programs just what they do and what each of them is for. This article finally explains the Independent Living Fund in a way that I understand. It seems like it was an experiment in giving people direct cash payments instead of regulated, designed programs, something I would like to see more of here in the U.S. Cash allows disabled people to buy whatever they need, instead of having to conform themselves to whatever some program directors want them to do. The problem is that cash benefits are also simpler and maybe easier to cut. It’s just a number, that’s all. And if “everyone” is tightening their belts, why should disabled people be exempt? I suspect that one problem is that most UK voters have no real idea what those benefits mean to disabled people, in practical, day to day terms. Anyway, I feel like watching what happens in the UK might serve as some valuable warnings for us here in the U.S.

Dylan Matthews, Vox.com - July 18. 2015

I’m not sure why I am including this article on my Weekly Reading List. I like Tig Notaro as a comedian, and the story of her multiple life crises, culminating with breast cancer, and the incredible standup routine she did about, is compelling. But it’s not really about disability. I watched the Netflix documentary, though, and came away with two thoughts that are related to disability. First, I wasn’t as emotionally engaged or impressed as I think I was supposed to be. Second, I still don’t know how Notaro actually feels about being considered not just entertaining and funny … which is what  comedians want to be … but “inspiring.” The film seems to take for granted that her story is especially inspiring, and in some way unprecedented. Maybe that’s the problem. As a disabled person, I know that it isn’t. Not to take anything away from her, but what Tig Notaro went through is rare, but not unheard of. I recommend you listen to the pivotal standup show, and watch the film. They are both fun and interesting, but I bet that if you are disabled, you will also find yourself feeling a little ambivalent at times.

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Time For A New Addition To The ADA

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Take Action written in red, informal capital letters
American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today, (ADAPT)

The Community Integration Act looks like a good candidate to be the next big legislative goal for the disability rights movement. It might even be the biggest deal since the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is appropriate since it’s being presented as a 6th section of the ADA itself. It would add much bigger teeth and operational specifics to the Supreme Court’s 1999 Olmsted decision, which was an interpretation of the ADA.

The Community Integration Act would make every state:
"... provide community-based services first, and offer home and community based services to people currently in institutions as a civil right. CIA requires states and insurance providers that pay for long-term services and supports to make real and meaningful changes that support the right of people with disabilities to live in freedom."
You can read all about it at the link above, but the premise is fairly simple. The Community Integration Act would strengthen the principle that people with disabilities who need “nursing home level” of support services have the right to get those at home. They wouldn't have to move into a nursing home or other “care facility” simply because they can’t get enough hours of home care … or because they don’t want their family to spend hours every day supplementing their care ... or because their state has decided not to fund more than X number of hours per day of home care ... or because a doctor or nurse decides they aren’t safe where they are for some reason. It would be as close as we are ever likely to get to an absolute right for every disabled person, no matter how severe their disability, to live in their own place, if that’s what they want. Disabled people would no longer live in institutions "because that’s all there is."

A new version of the bill hasn’t been introduced in Congress yet. The disability advocacy group ADAPT says that Sen. Chuck Schumer is interested in supporting the bill, but “needs a little push."

Click here to Take Action ... Urge Sen. Schumer to introduce the Community Integration Act before July 23, 2015.
I am sure there are a thousand details and questions to flesh out. How will the Community Integration Act apply to people with developmental disabilities? Would any additional funding be provided? How, exactly, would the affordable housing part of the bill work?

Whatever the answers to these and scores of other questions, I really think this is a great start at finally slaying dragon … putting and end all unwanted institutionalization. Let’s get started.

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Disability Blogger Link-Up

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The word Blog surrounded by word cloud

Time for another weekend Disability Blogger Link-Up. As always, you can post anything you like, as long as its related to disability.

Technical note:

To make the links easier to browse, in the “Your name” blank, type the title of the article. In the "Your URL" blank, paste the address of the item you are posting.

Then click the "Enter" button. That's it!

Have fun posting and reading! This Link-Up will close at Midnight Eastern on Sunday. Look for the next regular Disability Blogger Link-Up Friday, July 31, 2015.

Throwback Thursday

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Two years ago in Disability Thinking: Remembering The Pakleds.

I recently re-watched "Samaritan Snare.”

Ooof, it’s pretty awful. I think the writers meant well. I think they were trying to make some kind of bland point about underestimating people you assume are weak or incapable. But the portrayal is so insulting that any good is undone. Ultimately, you have a fictional alien species transparently crafted to display stereotypes of cognitive impairment. You have lines clearly intended to be mildly comical. You have our good Starfleet officers responding with a veneer of patience, just barely hiding irritation at having to deal with these obviously stupid humanoids. Hardee har, har! You have to work awfully hard to pull a positive message out of all that. Just check out the comments to the video below.

The episode is worth watching though, if only to be reminded that good intentions don’t guarantee good disability depictions.



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#DisabilityStories

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Erin Blasco - July 14, 2015

Blue box that says “#DisabilityStories July 15, 20150” with a pointing hand symbol.

I will be spending most of the day dipping in and out of this huge Twitter event, marking the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It’s organized by the National Museum of American History. Click the link above for a good summary of what it’s all about and how to participate. Click here to see a schedule for the day.

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