Changes Still Needed As 25th Anniversary Of ADA Approaches

This Sunday will mark exactly 25 years since the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act became law. ADA's legacy is still being written, although it's hard to miss many of the changes for which it is responsible.

It's hard to imagine sidewalks without curb cuts, government offices and businesses without automatic doors, or buses without lifts. These improvements in accessibility -- which are often equally helpful to people without disabilities -- were all the result of ADA.

Still, as much as the anniversary is reason to celebrate the accomplishments of ADA's first 25 years, it is also a good opportunity to understand that some promises remain unmet.

Learn more about the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Chuck Roberts, 51, knows that as well as anyone. Roberts has cerebral palsy, but is able to live, more or less, independently in his Norman home with the help of a wide variety of assistive technology.

Roberts is also able to get to his part-time job at the University of Oklahoma, thanks to specially-equipped buses and buildings whose doors open with the push of a button.

He remembers what it was like before ADA led to those modifications--especially the automatic doors.

"Up until then," Roberts said, "we had to wait outside until someone saw us."

Experts in the field of developmental disabilities say such changes have been monumental.

"Those curb cuts and those accessible parking spaces make a huge difference," said Ann Trudgeon, Director of Oklahoma's Developmental Disabilities Council, "and those accessible buses make a huge difference in making our communities more welcoming to people with disabilities."

But an area where ADA has not made a huge difference, Trudgeon says, is providing those with disabilities better access to the job market.

"Oklahoma has one of the best [employment] rates in the nation," said Trudgeon. "In fact, we're second highest in employing people with disabilities in real jobs in the community. But we still have 70-percent unemployment of people with disabilities."

Roberts is among them.

"I've been unemployed for three years," Roberts lamented.

Roberts works three hours a week, but is looking for something that's full-time. He has a degree in Special Education from OU, expertise in the field of disability and an eagerness to work.

"He has his own transportation. He's personable and charming and smart and a great team player," said Trudgeon. "The fact that he doesn't have a full-time job really illustrates that we don't do enough to help people with disabilities gain real jobs, real careers."

While ADA outlawed discrimination based on disability, Trudgeon says there's still a lack of recognition among many employers of how deep the talent pool is within this population and the upside that comes with hiring someone like Roberts.

"There's certainly still some misunderstanding and maybe some fear about people with disabilities in a workplace," Trudgeon suggested, "that they might hurt themselves, or they wouldn't do a great job. And, to that, I would just say hire them and see, because you'll be pleasantly surprised."

Roberts says there is no doubt that ADA has made life better for Americans with disabilities, but he says there's one thing that would make it better still…

"A job...employment," said Roberts, "a reason to get up."

Supporters of the Americans with Disabilities Act are holding a "roll and walk" Sunday morning to celebrate all that's been achieved. Click here for details of the event.