Seven years ago I remember getting a sticker from a disability agency that celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I put it on my wheelchair and had a few people stop me when I was out and about and ask "What is the ADA?"
Those were teachable moments, times when I could explain to people what the ADA was and its purposes.
Seven years later, if I was asked that question, I'd be surprised. Most people know what the ADA is now. At least they know what the words stand for - or that it's "about people with disabilities". What I'm not sure some people understand is the purpose behind the ADA - which can be mistaken for a law that guarantees entitlement and sometimes engenders resentment. Sadly this biased view of the ADA has been touted in media coverage at times, one that ignores its purpose.
I think of the car dealer who admitted he gave a disabled customer a higher price and told me that he had to put a ramp in so someone had to make up the difference. Or the veterinarian who complained to me that she was sued by a wheelchair user like me when there was no access and, no , she didn't want to treat my pet. Countless people who have told me as an advocate how much they resent making accommodations for the disabled. Or, shockingly, my experiences with being told at times that churches are exempt from the ADA - and don't 'have to' do anything "for disabled people".
On some days as I advocate I encounter so much backlash from the progress we've made that I find myself reeling.How sad that none of these folks understand the true purpose behind the ADA. Inclusion. Having a society where everyone can participate, where people can freely come and go, socialize, work, drive, and enjoy a full and productive life. And, yes, worship freely and be included socially at the table too as a full member of a congregation.
Churches may be exempt from the ADA legally, but are not exempt from inclusion morally. I could write volumes about how sad it is when inclusion is ignored in a church setting or spiritual community and pushed to the back burner as if it can just wait. How sad. For them. Because in their denial that work toward inclusion needs to be done, they not only continue to miss out on true community where everyone can fully participate, but fail to adhere to the tenets of the very faith they gather to celebrate.
I'm mindful that, in all of these situations, what some people don't see is the full picture. Yes, they know seven years later that the ADA is a law for disabled people.
Maybe, given more time, more people will learn what its true purpose is.
7 comments:
There's a lot of denial among church people that exclusion goes on . Many fall into the trap, as with so many other things, that saying the right thing is the same as working toward it.
Our congregation didn't realize how far we had to go until we actually had a disabled member join and saw real situations come up. As a minister, I was surprised by how many people resented making changes when it came to including the person's wheelchair and all that came with that. Saying the right thing is one thing and doing it is another thing.
Stay strong in Christ.
We have a long way to go as we mark this anniversary.
As an architect, your post outlines progress in a way that doesn't surprise me. It's easy for me to say that since I don't have a disability and the slowness of changes doesn't affect my life as personally.
I don't think it's unusual the course that the ADA has taken however. Business owners, who are most affected, are hit in the pocket and complain about that as we "ramp the world" so to speak. When someone calls me to ask about ADA requirements, it's rare that it's not accompanied by a sense of legal obligation and fear of being sued, not voluntary action to make a place accessible. It's like a kid who follows the rules because he'll be punished and not for the right reason.
Churches were made exempt for financial reasons. Some have misunderstood that distinction. Just because it's not required so churches won't have to "ante up" doesn't mean those in churches shouldn't work toward meeting ADA standards. There are many ways to do this through volunteer efforts, contractors who are willing to work for less and architects like myself who donate time to churches for that reason. I get tired of driving past churches that still have no ramp or way for people to get inside. It's a disgrace.
I am not a church going man myself and at my age do not think of myself as any saint but let's hope that people read what you write with an open mind and start getting off their duffs and stop acting like resentful children.
Your friend,
Tom
Good points, I am surprised and not surprised that Churches are exempted - though for once I wish they would lead the way instead of being WAY at the back debating whether the use of wheelchairs is an acceptable reaction to "God's will." (I only hope that is a joke)
On the other hand, living in a place where there is no disability act, I am in envy as at least you have the law on your side and after some personal experience with hate crimes, I realize there will always be those who do not act civilly to all in a society and that many are the type who are ONLY dissuaded by a large looming stick. Of course, now I think of my local city transit whose manager tells drivers it's "okay" to leave wheelchairs behind if things are busy or crowded (but pick up the able bodied passengers first) - and ADA would be handy round here.
Elizabeth - Transit is definitely an area where the ADA is helpful- currently there are numerous lawsuits here about that kind of discrimination! ( I wish you had a law like that too where you live.) As for hate crimes, I agree laws are needed on the basis of disability, which is often left out of some hate crime laws.
Tom - I appreciate your comment and efforts as an architect. My readers report mixed reactions to their disability when they actually can get into church. Beyond putting a ramp in, there are still a lot of myths and misperceptions about disability out there. Although it can be tempting to gloss over these problems by throwing around vague feel good phrases, that's not going to solve them. There needs to be a dialogue toward inclusion which is specific in nature, not one based on rhetoric or the assumption that folks who go to church "get it".
However, I agree with the minister that this assumption is, in my opinion, the hardest hurdle . I do see progress and some of it is among clergy members, many of whom try to lead the way for their congregations and open up a dialogue toward full inclusion.
Happy ADA Day Ruth:-)
Happy ADA Day to you too, Kara!
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