News & Events

Struggle continues to reach ADA goals

The issue: The Americans with Disabilities Act has been around 15 years.

We say: We all need to continue to do our part to protect the rights of the disabled.

Our View

This month marks the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The measure was signed into law July 26, 1990, by then-President George H. Bush.

Over the past 15 years, there have been obvious changes that have made our society more open to those with disabilities. For many people, the most apparent change has been the structural improvements to government buildings and businesses to make them more accessible to the disabled.

Accessibility is a goal. Not everything has been achieved. Vigilance needs to be maintained in order to see that the mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act are followed.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday that 2000 census results showed 20.9 million American families with at least one member who has a disability.

Clearly, the civil rights of the disabled would be a concern of those almost 21 million families. It should be a concern of all other Americans as well.

The ADA was intended to safeguard the civil rights of the disabled. Specifically, the act addresses transportation, employment and public accommodations.

The goal is to break down the barriers that prevented the disabled from taking a full role in society.

Removing those barriers benefits us all. Society stands to gain from taking advantage of the skills and abilities the disabled can bring to the workforce. For the disabled, they are given the opportunity to lead more productive lives.

Equal opportunity should not be limited by physical impediments or impairments.

The ADA does make some demands of business. We do not believe those demands are excessive.

Joliet is fortunate to have several groups working to see that the Americans with Disabilities Act works for the disabled and all of us.

A new effort, the Accessible Cities Alliance, was kicked off this month. Its mission is to work toward helping businesses meet ADA goals.

Behind the effort is the city of Joliet, Will County, the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce, financial institutions, architects and contractors.

We are encouraged by this plan to make our area more accessible to the disabled.

Joliet also has the Will-County Center for Independent Living, the Joliet Mayor's Committee on Citizens With Disabilities and the Joliet chapter of the Coalition of Citizens With Disabilities in Illinois.

Yes, progress has been made to assist the disabled. Let's keep that progress going.

-— The Herald News

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