May 17, 2012Americans with Disabilities Act Turns 20
American’s With Disabilities Act Turns 20
by Robert Rizzuto
Courtesy The Post Journal
Although living with a disability can be challenging at times, Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi (2nd from right) said he is proud to help makes it a little easier in the city.
"As I've said many times before, I am extremely thankful for my mobility," Teresi said at a special ceremony Friday celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act. "But if something was ever to happen to me or a member of my family, I'd take comfort in knowing that we live in a community and society that understands the need to make things accessible to everyone."
This coming Monday in the city of Jamestown, residents will celebrate the landmark legislation that is still helping to make the world accessible to people with disabilities.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act anniversary website, The ADA is a comprehensive, far-reaching piece of civil rights legislation for people with disabilities. The intended outcome is equal access to the economic, social, educational, and environmental resources of American society. The law says, "disability is a natural part of the human experience that in no way diminishes the right of individuals to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society, pursue meaningful careers and enjoy full inclusion and integration into society.
Dick Calla (right), a housing educator with the Southwestern Independent Living Center in Jamestown, explained that Chautauqua County has made great leaps forward over the years to bring public facilities into line with the ADA, making the community more accessible to everyone.
"In the city of Jamestown alone, 80 percent of the sidewalk curbs are wheelchair accessible," he said. "This is beneficial to not only people with wheelchairs, but those who walk with canes and mothers pushing strollers."
When the Americans With Disabilities Act was signed into law back in 1990, George H.W. Bush remarked to the nation about the importance of the legislation not only to those with disabilities, but to every American.
"We're here to rejoice in and celebrate another independence day- one that is long overdue," he said. "With today's signing of the landmark Americans for Disabilities Act, every man, woman, and child with a disability can now pass through once-closed doors into a bright new era of equality, independence, and freedom. As I look around at all these joyous faces, I remember clearly how many years of dedicated commitment have gone into making this historic new civil rights act a reality."
Also pictured are Helen Kern (left) and Marie Carrubba (2nd from left) of Southwestern Independent Living Center.