Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of ADA

Texas State University declares October as Disabilities History and Awareness month and celebrates the 25^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

During the month of October, Texas State will hold events that will help enlighten students on issues of disabilities on campus in support of ADA and it’s 25^th anniversary.  According to the Office of Disabilities Services, there will be events like “Stand Against Stigma Pledge Day” on October 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the quad, that will help bring awareness to stop the misconceptions of those who are mentally ill and have invisible disabilities.

Along with Texas State, President Barack Obama talks about the improvements that ADA has brought to the United States and celebrates its accomplishments in the disability issues via the White House blog.  President Obama points out that there are more disables in the work place than in the past 30 years due to ADA policies.

“Thanks to the ADA, the places that comprise our shared American life -- schools, workplaces, movie theaters, courthouses, buses, baseball stadiums, national parks -- they truly belong to everyone,” the President said.

Across the Texas State campus, many students are content with how Texas State has complied with ADA regulations.  Takia Bunton, a junior and a social work major, agrees that Texas State does comply with ADA regulation. She really likes how accessible some of the ADA accommodations are.

“I use the elevators and ramps around campus,” Bunton said. “They are really convenient and it definitely makes my commute faster when I have to rush from class to class.”

Thanks to ADA, people who live with disabilities are by law not to be discriminated in the work place and in school. This allows disables to have an equal chance of reaching their dream. Emily Parma, a junior and special education major who is visually impaired, gives insightful information in how Texas State complies with ADA.

“As a person with disability, I feel like they're very accommodating and I have not experienced any issues…” said Parma. “I feel like before, when there was no laws to benefit these people that it would have been very uncomfortable as a person with a disability here because they're legally bound.”

Photo cred: 

Holly Henrichsen

Stigma towards disables have been a problem in the passed. Although it is not where it needs to be, there has been an improvement. Maura Goldfeder, a caretaker for an autistic 15 year old, gives insight on the stigma of disables. 

“I think as a whole the stigma of mental disabilities and illnesses has lessened as well as the student body has become more accepting,” said Goldfeder.

Although ADA has brought much need change for people who have a disability, there is still work that needs to be done. Some of the accommodations are not as accessible as they should be. Desirae Sack, a student and Sugar Land native, believes that Texas State has not fully met ADA regulations due to some inconveniences that disables may experience while commuting to class. 

“However I do think that the campus is not completely ADA friendly in the sense that the ramps are way off route from a typical walk across campus and are not all easy to find.”

Photo cred: Josie Rasberry

According to KVUE, there are 32 lawsuits filed in Texas due to the lack of ADA implementation.  Of the 32, 14 of the lawsuits are in Austin. Thus, showing that even though ADA has come so far in improving lives of disables, there are still places that do not comply with this law which leads to inequality for disables.

            With this in mind, people should stay aware of the issues associated with disables because they deserve to be heard as well. Texas State students should definitely check out the events that bring awareness to both physical and mental disabilities to remain informed.