needs of those with physical chal-
lenges. In 2009, the law was
amended to broaden the scope of
rights and services for the dis-
abled.
proved tremendously for the
disabled in America. Still, there
have been challenges. Ironically,
one of the stronger opponents to
the original act was the Christian
church, which asked for exemp-
tions with regard to property and
building access. Simply put, the
churches and denominations in-
volved were worried that the stip-
ulations of the new law would
place undue strain on church
budgets.
they are different, they are some-
how tainted or unable to deal
with life like other people. This is
simply untrue.
passage of The Americans with
Disabilities Act. Essentially, the
act is a civil rights law that pro-
tects
ramifications of the law were
far�reaching and effective, allow-
ing for a wide range of overdue
services and accommodations for
disabled citizens. At the time, it
meant that I would be able to go
to public school and not be iso-
lated from or treated differently
than other students. The law also
insured that I would have access
to public buildings and facilities
and that all new construction
would be governed
ices was less important than
money. Needless to say, the dis-
abled masses were not impressed.
Even today, physically and men-
tally disabled Americans still
struggle to find a place of equality
in many churches. A general
Google search on the topic will re-
veal the scope of the issue. The
question arises, What did Jesus
do when confronted by disabled
people? Food for thought, don't
you think?
been cared for by loving parents
who at the outset had already
developed a very progressive at-
titude toward disabilities. They
taught me from an early age to
be confident and strong. I have
no reason to complain, but my
fellow disabled friends and I do
have one request: that we be re-
spected and viewed by the world
as capable people, valued for our
skills and abilities, not labeled
and judged solely by our differ-
ences. We want to make a differ-
ence. You never know who, if
given a chance, might just change
the world.