ADA Violations

Ten years ago, my husband and I organized a group of concerned friends and neighbors to call the local school district to task in the town of Terrace Park, Ohio. At that time, none of the five public schools were accessible to people in wheelchairs. The school board contended that it had never had to "deal with this problem." We contended they simply never felt compelled to understand or abide by the federal laws.

Fast forward a decade and imagine my surprise to see this clip from Augusta, Georgia, asserting that public buildings there remain in violation of ADA laws! This is unacceptable, offensive and simply not in the best interest of Augusta.

We all need to work harder to ensure that our communities not only comply with the law but actually welcome persons with disabilities. Only then are we really welcoming these people into our communities. Everyone has something to contribute to the town in which they live. Everyone has the right to equal access under the law. Everyone should advocate for this in their community.

Fantastic Field Trips

I'm the first to criticize when something goes wrong; however, I'm also the first to acknowledge a job well done. So I've decided to share some recognition for a fabulous field trip I took last week with Andrew's 8th grade team. We visited Bear Mountain state park in New York on a beautiful fall day. Although they get no credit for the gorgeous weather, I applaud the team for planning a fantastic day for all the kids -- especially our Andrew. Here are few tips for making the most of such an adventure:

1) Reserve a lift bus. The coach bus service chartered by the school offers a lift bus that enabled Andrew to travel with all the other students -- in his motorized wheelchair. Being included like this is really important to him and other non-ambulatory students. Why isolate them in a "special ed" bus and preclude them from all the fun and comraderie?

2) Divide into ability groups. Many of the students were physically unable to complete the hiking trek to the top of the mountain (besides just Andrew). Teachers divided them into small groups and each hiked a different trail, depending upon their desires and stamina. This enabled Andrew to enjoy the outdoors with other students on a fully-paved path that accommodated his powerchair. The view was breathtaking. He really felt a part of things.

3) Offer various activities, based on interests. We did several water quality checks (led by the science teacher), had a picnic lunch, visited the zoo and even spent time at the historical museum located inside the park. Lots of options for lots of different personalities.

4) Parents welcomed. Teachers encouraged parents like me to join the fun and it was well worth it. Sometimes, we're made to feel like we need to "leave enough alone." Andrew's team actually made me feel like it was good to have me on board. Imagine that!

5) Focus on the possibilities. Rather than obsessing about what Andrew could not do, his team of teachers created a day filled with opportunities and new experiences. Kudos to all.

Disability Mentoring Day

Darn. I missed it! Wednesday was apparently Disability Mentoring Day (DMD), and what a great idea. Our son, Andrew, is now a teenager and employment is not far down the road. Parents like me really need to think about what skills our "children" will need as adults in order to live productive, happy lives contributing to their communities in whatever ways they can. It looks like Duluth, Minnesota, of all places, leads the pack in terms of activities and youth involvement. This inspires me to get more going in Connecticut. What are you inspired to do today?