Too many barriers block required access
An estimated 54 million Americans — or one in five — have a disability, and about half have a severe disability, affecting their ability to see, hear or walk (National Council on Disability, 2002).
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) holds that individuals should be limited only by the physical or mental restrictions of their disability, yet significant barriers persist in the areas of education, employment, access to state and local government services, and full participation in society.
For instance, the new Guilford County Department of Social Services building lacks handicap access, specifically automatic push-plate door openers, which must make the process of asking for help even more daunting and increase feelings of frustration, fear and helplessness. Given this information, can we really believe staff writer John Newsom's (June 25, 2004) claim that this million-dollar DSS office is "a modern, safer and efficient building"?
As we approach the 15th anniversary of the ADA, the landmark civil rights legislation for people with disabilities, we must examine tough issues, take action to remove these barriers, and ask ourselves if we are doing enough to help individuals with disabilities. After all, each of us is only an accident away from having a disability.
Amy Sams
Greensboro