The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed on July 26, 1990 to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities and mental health challenges. Title I of the ADA tackles discrimination in the workplace, and requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Over one billion people across the globe are estimated to experience disability, and are faced with daily challenges such as:

• Accessibility to facilities and transportation;
• Difficulty utilizing technology, materials, resources, or policies to accommodate needs;
• Employer doubts’ and stigmatization;

Since the ADA was passed when I was 5 years old, I did not realize for a long time how hard life was for disabled individuals beforehand, I never understood the importance of this law. Because of the fight that  I and my parents had to undergo throughout the first two decades in my life to receive disability benefits under the Social Security Administration, I always had some sort of self-stigma behind the word  “disabled” and not using my disability to request the accommodations that I would need.

Being awarded Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) 20 years ago was a big achievement and while for some time there was fear of working because of the fear of having my benefits terminated, I entered the world of work 14 years ago and have asked for accommodations from time to time because of my disability. I am grateful for the opportunity to work and at a recent conference where I was able to listen to a presentation from the Certified Work Incentive Counselor that I met prior to starting work. It gave much reassurance that there is no shame in working even part time as I do to supplement my benefits as which my disability prevents me from working at a “substantial gainful activity level.”

I at times feel ashamed of being disabled, but increasingly I am accepting of such. There have been many other opportunities provided to me as a result  of being classified as a disabled individual besides the financial piece of benefits. It is not using it as an “excuse” but coming to reality that there are just things out in the world that are challenging and are always going to be. That is never going to change.

Since the passage of the ADA, there have been many things that have been created to make things easier for disabled individuals particularly autistic individuals. As in other countries there are “disabled toilets,” in the states we call them family restrooms. While this may be seen by the public as what the traditional family looks like. These facilities are also earmarked for disabled individuals when needing to use a single occupancy restroom because they cannot use a multiple occupancy one. Other times for autistic individuals it are more comfortable when needing to use the restroom for certain functions that require more privacy than what a multiple occupancy restroom can provide. It is important to never pass judgment when someone uses these facilities as it is never required for anyone to disclose their disability.

These are some of the reasons that I am becoming increasingly grateful for the passage of the ADA and continue to see the benefits of this law being passed and cannot imagine a world without it. Knowing the battle of securing Social Security Disability Benefits is much more than what can be provided by a monthly benefit payment, it opens the door to earmarking opportunities for disabled individuals to have what they need to succeed in life.