The Tennessee Disability Coalition on July 26 joined more than a million Tennesseans with disabilities in celebrating the anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The passing of the law, which made discrimination on the basis of disability illegal, is a victory those with disabilities celebrate each time they use a ramp to access a post office, read closed captioning at the bottom of a TV screen and ride a public bus.
“The Americans with Disabilities Act raised our awareness of the challenges people with disabilities face every day,” Gov. Bill Haslam said. “As we celebrate the 22nd anniversary of this historic legislation, hurdles still exist, especially around employment opportunities. In Tennessee, we’re focused on improving access to quality jobs for our citizens.”
While the ADA has broken down many barriers, obstacles to employment remain. Only 28.8 percent of individuals with disabilities in Tennessee who want to work are holding jobs, said TDC spokesperson Sarah Sampson.
TDC Executive Director Carol Westlake said even as Tennesseans look back at the progress they’ve made in the last 22 years, they must also look forward and recommit themselves to achieving the law’s goals of ensuring “equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency” for all Americans with disabilities.
“Equal access and the freedom to make of our lives what we will are principles upon which our nation was founded. Together, we can ensure our country is not deprived of the full talents and contributions of Tennesseans who have disabilities, and we will move forward with the work of providing pathways to opportunity for all,” she said.