8 • August 2015 • UPBEAT TIMES Celebration of the 1990 Americans with Disability Act (ADA):


25 years and Still Much to Do for Fundamental Civil Rights for People with Disabilities By Dr. Anne C. Cowden


Santa Rosa, CA. ~ Congress acknowledged that society’s accumulated myths and fears about dis- ability and disease are as handi- capping


as are the physical limitations that fl ow from actual


impairment. William J. Bren- nan, Jr., Associate Justice, US Supreme Court, 1956-1990. Today, July 26, 2015, I had the honor and the privilege to attend the celebration of the passage of the ADA. It was a wonderful event with people in attendance who have fought and advocated for the civil rights of people with disabili- ties, those who are disabled, both physical and mental, those


who provide services to people with disabilities, state and local dignitaries and supportive citi- zens.


Among the speakers at the


event were State Senator Mike McGuire, Director of the State Department of Rehabilitation, Joe Xavier, Anthony Tesler, Advocate. The Department of Rehabilitation had teamed up with non-profi ts in the Sonoma County area to host the event. Among the non-profi ts were the Disability Services & Le- gal Center, the Sonoma County Mayors’ Committee on Em- ployment of People with dis- abilities and the Communique Interpreting (Sign Language). Peter Harsch was the excellent moderator of the event. The speakers all lauded this Act and the framework that has mandated changes to our perception of people with dis-


abilities as well as providing for basic civil rights. However, also noted is that the ADA came about be- cause of the ground- swell ef- forts of millions


of people fi ghting for those rights. And the fi ght must continue.


Director


Inga Lizdentye, Disability Services and Legal Center in front; Peter Harsch, District Administrator of the Depart- ment of Rehabilitation back left, Joe Xavier, Director of the Department of Rehabilitation back right.


Joe Xavier noted that the ADA was a good started, but much more still needs to be done and all need


to join the fi ght. There


must be a time in the future when no one will be judged because


they are different. And there is great hope in the move- ment for a future where all people


will be equal: “The


ADA is a promise for our fu- ture.” He also added to do so we must change the hearts and


minds of society so that those with disabilities can work, trav- el, be housed, receive medical care, and all the civil rights af- ford to the ‘able bodied.’ I walked from my home about a mile away to attend this im- portant event held at the Justice Joseph A. Rattigan Building at First and D Street starting at 9:00 AM. My mentioning of the means of transportation is for a purpose. I felt and feel so lucky to be 70 years of age with no apparent disabilities, able to walk without assistance, talk, hear, think, not plagued by mental demons and see well. Those who have lost or have diminished use or are affl icted with of any of these are among the 58 million Americans in a population of 323 million. One in three of the 58 million live either in poverty or below


... continued on page 11 An independent local Community Bank since 1890


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8 • August 2015 • UPBEAT TIMES


Summer set lip to earth’s bosom bare, And left the fl ushed print in a poppy there. ~Francis Thompson


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