The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

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Disability Rights in the United States for centuries have been over looked and nearly ignored. Before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was implemented, those that where disabled where shut out of the public eye for many generations. As this thought process was passed on, it only made the next generation think that it was okay to push the disabled to the side. Therefore, very few would stand up to advocate for change in the way Americans saw and treated disabled individuals. The key movement in rights for the disabled was indeed the ADA that President George H. Bush signed into law in 1990.
Define Disability Rights. In order to fully define disability rights we first need to understand what disability means. As stated in the Americans …show more content…

Because you are disabled does not mean that you should not be able to shop downtown, ride the city bus, or own your own home. In our society, unfortunately disable peopled are not able to enter all stores due to inadequate accommodations. Others find that the city bus on their route is not accessible to them, or they may find that it is not worth the hassle to even attempt to purchase a home. The simplest things we take for granted each day are a daily struggle for the disabled. Everyone seems to live in their own little world and only focus on themselves without realizing all of those in need and suffering around …show more content…

From the 1880’s though the 1930’s, the disabled were hidden away in institutions and some were exploited in circus sideshows. In the 1940’s, major advancements began to take place and continue to the present day. The biggest stride was when President Bush signed the American with Disabilities Act into law on July 26, 1990. After this act was passed, many advocacy groups continue efforts to ensure the ADA is enforced (The American Association of People with Disabilities 2012). It seems that the disabled are often forgotten. If only Americans could walk a day in a disabled persons shoes, what a different outlook they would have on life.
How have government attempted to address Disability Rights? The Americans with Disabilities Act is the single largest implement of rights for the disabled. These federal standards are expected to be implemented and followed out in the federal, state, and local governments. This by far is not a perfect system, but it is much better than prior centuries were without it. Thankfully the ADA is always being amended and updated with all the changes in technology, in society, and etc.
What can you as an individual do to have a positive impact on Disability

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