Around 30 people celebrated the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act yesterday with music, poetry and speeches in Central Park.
The landmark legislation prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in transportation as well as employment, access to government, commercial or public facilities, and telecommunications. It was signed into law on July 26, 1990.
Today all New York City buses are required to have wheelchair lifts, although only a fraction of the city’s subway stations are accessible.
The celebration took place across the street from Columbus Circle, at the edge of the park. It was organized by Disabled in Action, an advocacy group that began in 1970 that has taken part in numerous lawsuits for equal rights.
Maggie’s Paratransit Corp., one of more than a dozen contractors for New York City Transit’s Access-A-Ride paratransit service, coordinated rides for some of the attendees. Others came by public transportation.
Some people hung signs from the back of their mobility devices with quotes from the late disability rights leader Ed Roberts, including, “Disability is actually a strength" and "Most people never thought of independence as a possibility when they thought of us."
Ellen Nuzzi of Brooklyn recalled sitting on the steps of a public bus in protest to prevent it from leaving when a driver refused to let her board using her scooter in 1981. Nuzzi, a counselor to students with disabilities at Long Island University, now takes buses more easily but is less comfortable on the subway. “It’s mainly when an elevator breaks, there’s no way to rescue people. And also the gaps, vertical and horizontal," she said about her subway concerns, but added,"If it’s more crowded, it’s more level.”
Disability rights advocate Elaine Kolb sang songs including, "We Will Ride!" about travel and freedom, and activist Julie Maury read a poem about the power of protest for people with disabilities.
As the event came to a close, it was clear there was more work to be done. As Luda Demikhovskaya, a retired computer programmer and member of Disabled in Action, waited for her Access-A-Ride trip home, a salesman for a private sightseeing tour bus invited her for a ride. “Make it accessible!" Demikhovskaya responded, pointing to her wheelchair. “You will not take me! So how can I go?”
Captions from top to bottom: Musician Elaine Kolb sings and plays acoustic guitar. Attorney T.K. Small speaks to the crowd.
I really appreciate the fact that you've set up your own website and have factually posted your thoughts. I admire your work and feel I can relate to what you've done. A lot of folks can't even imagine having such talent. I hope that you know how lucky you are. :) Good luck to you in all your endeavors. :)
Posted by: Jay | 03/16/2011 at 11:31 PM