A Day In A Life
Have you ever had one of those days? You arranged 24 hours in advance to take one of the lift-equipped line buses to the grocery store, but as you sil out there waiting, it cruises past with its driver staring at you?
So you free wheel to the store and as you're going through the checkout lane you gel wedged in because the aisle is too narrow.
After a lot of fuss and nonsense you're finally back home where you find a message on your answering machine. The chairperson of a group you want to join is saying that it is unrealistic of you to expect the group to start meeting in accessible locations just because you want to become a member.
About now it seems like a good idea to go on vacation for a while. You choose a trip to our nation's capital where you can visit places like the Lincoln Memorial and steep yourself in the magnificent words this country was founded on: "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal."
You make arrangements with the airline in advance. Nevertheless when you get to the airport an attendant wants to argue that the airline can't transport electric wheelchairs because the batteries are dangerous. You have to explain that your batteries are gel cells and not dangerous, that you have taken all the precautions that were required of you when you called for reservations. Finally they allow you to board. When you reach D.C. and they return your chair, they have handled it so roughly that it takes you several frightening moments before you're able to get it working again.
Now comes the fun part. You arrive at your hotel where you have requested a room on one of the top floors. The person at the desk looks at you with disdain and says, "Our only wheelchair room is on the first floor."
Now you have to argue again. It occurs to you that it is none of his business that you can still walk through to make a barrier free room unnecessary and that you did not request a barrier free room but you'll tell him all of this anyway. After more conversation, he begrudgingly gives you the room you want, but says you'll have to wait while they get it ready. He suggests you have a drink in the lounge while you wait.
A drink is beginning to sound like a great idea but when you go through the door indicated you find that while the restaurant is on your level, the lounge is up six steps. When you're asked, "One for dinner?" you reply "One for a drink." The wailer then says "l'm sorry, but I can't serve you a drink on this level. Maybe we could carry you up. How much does that thing weigh?" You start getting ready to explain P.A. 220, the Michigan Civil Handicapper Civil Rights Act to him when you suddenly realize that you are not in Michigan and the protection you have there is not going to help here. Running out of fight you go back to the lobby to wait for your room.
Are you tired of having those kinds of days? I know I am. That is why I am doing everything I can to help promote the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of handicap in employment, housing, public accomodations, travel, Communications, and activities of state and local governments. The ADA covers employers engaged in commerce who have 15 or more employees, housing providers covered by federal fair housing laws, public accomodations, transportation companies, those engaged in broadcasting or Communications, and state and local governments. And the ADA's enforcement procedures include administrative remedies, a private right of action in Federal Court, monetary damages, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, and cut offs of federal funds.
On Friday, July 7, a crowd of people will meet at the U-M Diag for a march ride along Liberty Street to the Federal Building. There we will drive home the importance of this civil rights legislation for people with disabilities. Speakers and performers will edúcate the public about the ADA and how it will positively affect all of us.
Circle this date on your calendar now. Plan to be there with your friends, relativos and co-workers. It will require an effort by all of us in cities throughout the U.S. to demonstrate how the Fourth of July only means freedom for all when we're really talking about all of us!