Celebrating the 34th Anniversary of the ADA
On July 26, 1990, the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) represented a pivotal push toward inclusivity and accessibility for millions of individuals living with a disability. The ADA helped to make huge strides towards eliminating discrimination on the basis of disability by mandating accommodations to ensure that those living with a disability had equal access to employment, education, state and local government services, public transit and telecommunication. The act cements a foundation for the considerations that must be made to promote accessibility of these spaces where its impact is one which creates the opportunity for all individuals to negotiate the demands of their everyday environment. On the 34th anniversary of this momentous occasion, we celebrate the legacy of the ADA and acknowledge the immense changes that have ensued from its influence over the past nearly three and a half decades.
The ADA has been instrumental in guiding change at the legislative level. Still, equally important, the act continues to foster critical growth and connection at the community level by creating a mission for all individuals, with and without disability, to rally behind collectively. The ADA sets precedence for inclusivity and equal opportunity. Still, the responsibility ultimately falls on the community members to relentlessly push for action and build upon the principles that the act establishes. To summarize, while we must recognize the formidable impact of the ADA, it is crucial to understand that the fight for inclusion is far from over. Now more than ever, the community needs the determined voices and actions of our advocates to continue breaking barriers for the rights of individuals with disabilities.
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To evoke change, it is important to recognize that full inclusion encompasses much more than ramps and elevators. For many, an individual’s assistive device is inextricably linked to their health, function, and ability to participate in society. The unique characteristics of one’s device and its componentry allow that individual to interact with the world. Unfortunately, though, these devices can often come at a considerable monetary cost. In other words, an individual’s quality of life is determined by what they can afford. As a steering committee member of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is just one of nearly one hundred national organizations that acknowledges the importance of coverage for these devices and is dedicated to demanding change.
Most recently, the ITEM Coalition has been calling for action from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to open the pending National Coverage Analysis (NCA) for standing systems in powered wheelchairs, a coverage request that was submitted almost four years ago. Evidence supports that standing can improve outcomes by preventing bone mass loss, joint contractures, and incidence of pressure injury, all of which can be detrimental to the health and function of individuals living with disabilities. Still, Medicare beneficiaries are not able to benefit from this technology. In honor of the 34th anniversary of the ADA, it is time for healthcare coverage to allow for the standard of care that provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to navigate a world free of limitations.
Please sign up to become an advocate or contact Gerard Arnum, our Grassroots Advocacy Manager, at garnum@reeve.org to learn more about our Regional Champions Program.