The World My Son's Growing up in is Totally Different
Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
The world my son's growing up in is totally different
As a college student in the 1990's, I interned with what is now the Disability Rights Bureau of the Office of the Attorney General in Illinois, right after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Working alongside attorneys and staff as they determined the ADA's reach and implemented the new law across Illinois, I helped people who reported buildings and parking lots that were not ADA accessible. It’s hard to believe today, but there were not many accessible parking spaces then.
Children with disabilities were segregated in schools
Twenty years later, my son, Athan, who experiences disability, was born. The world that he lives in is entirely different because of the ADA and other laws that support and protect the rights of people with disabilities.
When I went to school in the 1970's and 1980's, kids with Down syndrome were separated into a different part of the building. I did not see children with disabilities in class, on the playground—or even in the lunchroom.
Athan’s life is totally different. He's in the general education classroom and is part of the community, just like any other kid. The other children know he has learning differences, but he's their friend.
ADA's 30th anniversary
This month marks the 30th anniversary of the ADA. Though there is still a lot of work to do, Athan lives in a culture with stronger acceptance, higher expectations, and a growing understanding of the importance of inclusion. I'm so grateful the world is becoming a better place for my son because of the ADA and other laws. And I'm hopeful that more and more barriers will be lifted in our schools, workplaces, and places of business in the years to come.
As Athan's mom, it's an honor to serve as a Board Member of an organization dedicated to achieving the vision of the ADA, and ensuring that every Oregonian has the opportunity to achieve their potential and participate fully in life.
Warm regards,
Cindi Polychronis
Vice President
Board of Directors
Disability Rights Oregon
