The American With Disabilities Act: my "buyer's remorse"

2012-01-16T23:06:46Z

On Wednesday, January 11, 2012, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) unanimously (I.E. both "liberal" and "conservative" judges) ruled that religious organizations can discriminate at will in deciding whom to hire and fire, as long as those people have the title of "minister."

On the one hand, I'm a firm and staunch supporter in the Separation of Church and State, and believe that freedom of religion is also freedom from religion.

And I can see how, if government officials are allowed to a say in what's considered a "real" religion and who's considered a "real" minister, life could get very dicey and uncomfortable for those with minority belief systems in this culture.

However -- the reason, (on supposed religious grounds) that Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School fired Cheryl Perich was that she sued the school for violation of the American with Disabilities Act, and it's against their religion to involve the courts in settling disputes.

Oh, how convenient. [/Church-Lady Voice]

The thing is: Suing in the Courts is the only provision of enforcement written into the ADA Law.

When the ADA became law 21 1/2 years ago, being told I had the right to sue someone who denied me access sounded like a fantastic gift and a tool of empowerment. But over the years, I've come to see that provision (especially since it's the only tooth that the ADA has) as a tool of disempowerment for PWD. Allowing us to sue also allows those with ability-privilege (like playground bullies) to play "Keep Away" with our civil rights.

Besides, for those business owners who might otherwise want to be inclusive, being told they'd "Better do this right, or you're gonna get sued!" is hardly conducive to fostering an atmosphere of openness and flexibility.

But now that the ADA is law, I don't know how to change it.

*sigh*

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My local ADA celebration-- I'm still glad I went. ...But I can't help but wonder...

2010-07-27T03:15:17Z

Today* is the Twentieth Anniversary of The Americans with Disabilities Act being signed into law (Next year, when it's 21, we'll take it to a bar and get drunk, right?)!

And my local Center for Independent Living, held a celebration, promising music, videos, speakers, food, and More!

"Music" turned out to be recorded "Top 40," as far as I could tell, played over loudspeakers at a volume that prevented conversation (I was hoping for live performers, singing songs that were sung at political rallies to get the ADA passed, or something).

"Videos" turned out to be a powerpoint slide show of fact tidbits about how famous people "overcame the prejudice people had toward their disabilities" (I was hoping for slide shows of local history -- the faces and stories behind the fight for access and inclusion here, in Hampton Roads, VA, that this CIL services)

And then, there was a promised speech, live from the White House, at 5:30, from President Obama. That was a live feed over the Internet, and it was projected up onto a wall, big, so that all those gathered could see it. But the Center's Internet Connection wasn't strong enough, and the video kept freezing up (or maybe it was glitchy at the White House end, I don't know).

And of course, President Obama was not the first to speak -- there was a woman, who spoke first, remembering the individuals who fought for the passage of the ADA, starting in 1989, and thanking the Senators and Congressmen who co-sponsered the bill.

I grinned SO HARD when Congressman Fish's name was read, that my cheeks hurt. Hamilton Fish was our Congressmen in Putnam County NY. And I have no doubt that he signed onto that bill, at least in part, because of my mother. She would show up at every town meeting where he spoke, and would take me along to most of those, if they didn't interfere with school, or were past my bedtime, and she would needle him on causes she thought were important -- the Environment, and full access for the Disabled.

Then, after that woman finished, Marlee Matlin got up, and read out a portion of Helen Keller's autobiography (I was hoping for Marlee Matlin to tell her own story -- I really don't know why she didn't).

Then, a blind fiddler (I think he was blind, I didn't catch his name), came up and spent about twenty minutes trying to get his instrument in tune... To be fair, it's nearly impossible to keep stringed instruments in tune on hot, humid, July days. But when finally he started to play, it was the most dolorous and slow and mournful tune I'd heard in ages. (WTF?!!)

Then, Patti LeBelle was introduced. Yay? She sang "I got a new Attitude." Then she rambled on about Bo, the Obamas' pet dog, and told the story of how her own little dog fell in the pool and almost drowned (WTF?!?! #2 -- did she think she was speaking in honor of the SPCA? She really sounded drunk, or drugged). When she started in on "You are the Wind Beneath my Wings" -- Audrey was ready to go. So I never did hear the President speak.

Mostly, though, I'm just a bit saddened that the whole "celebration" was held in the confines of "The Center" -- That 'special place, where they help those people' -- instead of out in a public park, somewhere, or even a public library conference room (Though if it were the latter, we wouldn't have been able to have food, which was quite good -- if you were a carnivore).

I mean, isn't that what the ADA is all about? being Loud and Proud in Public, and mingling with the "regular" general, Public??

I can't help but wonder if that's why it seems that we've made so little progress, in terms of real change and societal attitudes -- because we're so good at self-segregating. You know?

Still, I'm glad I made the effort to get fully dressed, and go out, and do this in three dee space, instead of staying home and "Celebrating" in private.

*July 26th -- it still is, in my time zone, anyway.

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Notes, Notings, and Common Refrains

The American With Disabilities Act: my "buyer's remorse"

My local ADA celebration-- I'm still glad I went. ...But I can't help but wonder...