It’s time for another reblog!
On this blog, I’ve talked about the benefits of disability friendship for adults. Today’s post talks about the benefits of disability friendship for children and teens.
Like this blogger, I was one of the “lucky ones” in that I received a typical education, but also spent time around other kids who shared my disability. These connections were first arranged by my assigned teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), who organized activities for the blind students in our school district. Later, our local blindness agency in my hometown set up a program for blind school-age children around the city. The program ran on weekends and during summers, allowing us to attend our neighborhood schools and still spend time together.
These programs need an investment of resources and labor to run well, but as the below post points out so eloquently, they are worth it.
In the Age of Mainstreaming, Being with Other Disabled Folks is Still Important
Category: Past, Present, and Future
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990 to protect the civil rights of Americans with disabilities. Among other things, the ADA requires all businesses serving the public to make their facilities and communications accessible and to provide accommodations for particular disability needs. Business owners have had more than 25 years to learn about and implement accessibility requirements. However, disabled people still routinely face numerous access barriers when attempting to utilize goods or services available to the public. As just one example, many Americans with mobility disabilities still live in apartments with steps
Under the ADA, disabled people can file complaints and pursue civil action when they encounter direct or institutional discrimination from a place of business. But a new bill in Congress, H.R. 620, could make it harder for affected individuals to file complaints. It could complicate the process and delay required action by the business, removing incentives to comply with essential civil rights safeguards.
Read about the bill and how you can make your voice heard