Question
Why do some people argue that all the rights that disabled people need are already provided in existing bills and laws?
What types of dangers do disabled people face when the government fails to keep facilities and accessways handicapped accessible?
What are some things that communities around the US are doing to meet the Americans with Disability Act?
(This is a generally big picture question but any input you have on it would be appreciated) To what extent are both developing and developed countries acting ethically to service their disabled?

Answer
Hello Lesley,

A lot of what you ask calls for an opinion rather than a factual answer.  If you want to discuss questions like why people think it's all hunky dory with the current laws, I am willing but probably not here.. write to me directly at [email protected].

There are a  number of reasons people might argue that all the laws that are needed are in place:

1.  It might be true.
2.  It might be that laws can only be used to punish, not to educate.
3.  The types of laws there are require case law to back them up and that is a long and imperfect process.
4.  People want to believe that everything is "fine" and they don't need to worry about "those people".
5.  People might believe they are being forced to accommodate people at their own expense without getting value in return.

And of course lots of other reasons.  What do you think it is?

As to the dangers, I probably need to know what you mean by "dangers."  I would say the chief danger is that a supposed democracy fails to be one if all people cannot participate with the same level of choice in the social, political and economic life of the nation.  

On your third question, I am afraid that is just too broad a question.  If you can narrow it down I can help answer it.  What do you mean by "communities"?  Cities?  Governments?

Just to take a stab at the big picture, and I appreciate your clarifying the intent of your question with that: Mostly the average person is just not that aware of disability.. they believe they are good people and only want the best for all in their communities.  But the fact is they don't know and often feel put upon when asked to be the agents of change.  I also believe our culture tends to infantilize disabled people.. the mindset is that disabled people to be taken care of, not given the opportunities -- jobs, access, education, transportation, etc. -- to care for ourselves.

Now if you want my REAL opinion ... I think the one single thing that could turn this all around is if nondisabled people realized that the one "minority" that everyone is eligible to join is disability.  You can be nondisabled one moment and literally disabled the next, like a fellow I knew who was a star athlete in high school and blind in the instant it took for his optic nerves to be severed in a motorcycle accident.  If a person cannot imagine becoming disabled themselves, they should think of a child or other loved one, and it might even be better if they did since people will fight for their children.  The two things I would say to these people are:

- If we create a truly accessible world, it will already be in place if you or a loved one needs it.
- If disabled people have the same rights AND responsibilities of the nondisabled, you and your loved one will soon learn that disability is not the end of the world.  I always say that my own success should be encouraging to others.. they should not admire me.. they should say to themselves, "If she can do it, I could too if I lost my vision."  That sort of positive approach would be a much better motivator, I think, to work for universal access.

What do you think?

Nan