In 1990 congress passed something called The American Disability
Act. This basically makes it illegal to discriminate against someone because
they are disabled. Included in this are bylaws that require different places to
have different resources (i.e. amount of handicapped parking spots a facility
is required to have, ramps, elevator access, etc). This past summer Troy High
had to add handicap parking spots because of the increasing number of students
and visitors at the school. While all public facilities and building have to
meet with nationwide standards created by the ACA, they are still not creating a
fair and equal environment for those with disability.
If we just talk
physical disabilities (those that require wheelchairs) many facilities “Easy
access” handicapped entrances are very inconvient and require a whole spectacle
of commotion. The last thing people with
these disabilities want is more attention drawn to them. If you look at mental disabilities,
many places, while technically can’t not hire someone because of a mental
disability, find a loophole. There are some stores opening up hiring people
with and without mental disabilities. The point of these stores is to ensure
people with mental disabilities are included and the real world. Also the world
needs to see these people exist and are just normal people.
