Statewide Independent Living
Council of Illinois

In My View - John M. Eckert

The State Journal-Register
July 22, 2000

This Wednesday, Springfield and other communities throughout the nation will celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. When President Bush signed this historic bill on July 26, 1990, enacting the Americans with Disabilities Act he called it "the world=s first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities." In a nutshell, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives civil rights protections to persons with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age and religion.

Its five Titles guarantee equal opportunity for individual with disabilities in: (I) Public Accommodations, (II) Employment, (III) Transportation, (IV) State and Local Government Services, (V) Telecommunications. Unfortunately, many stories have only shown abuses and the negative impact of the ADA, while the positive impact on persons with disabilities, their families and friends, the workplace and our communities have gone unnoticed.

For example, a recent study has shown that the typical cost of making a "reasonable accommodation" for a person with a disability in the workplace is only $200. In fact, a 1995 poll noted that 87 percent of businesses who had hired persons with disabilities would encourage other businesses to do the same. And, according to a Louis Harris and Associates Survey, 70 percent of executives surveyed supported the ADA and did not favor weakening the law in any way. Retailers and other business owners have benefited from the passage of the ADA by tapping a new market of consumers by taking such simple steps as widening their isles or installing an automatic door opener.

The National Council on Disability, at a town meeting gathering feedback on what the ADA has meant to Illinois, noted that the ADA has been "extremely positive" regarding issues of employment, recreation, public accommodation and transportation.

From a local standpoint, a consumer at the Springfield Center for Independent Living (SCIL) stated that since the passage of the ADA, many restaurants have taken steps to make seating areas more accessible for walkers and wheelchairs and by offering their menus in Braille or large print.

Jeff Schumacher, who has cerebral palsy and is an employee of a state agency, was passed over for a promotion with the reason being that driving was an essential function of the position. Jeff contacted SCIL, which interviewed other employees in the area where he works and learned that driving had never been a requirement for that particular position. SCIL contacted the state agency ADA coordinator who recognized the discrepancy and a promotion ensued.

Also, a Springfield man employed as a manager of a grocery store was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998, forcing him to take time away from the position. When he was ready to return to work, the store would not give him a return date. The employee contacted SCIL, which advocated for him, but when he was finally allowed to return, the store had demoted the position to that of bagger. SCIL continued to advocate until the man was reinstated as a manger.

If you are interested in learning more about the ADA, three workshops sponsored by the Department of Human Services will be conducted simultaneously from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2000 in both Springfield and Chicago. Workshops (and Springfield locations) include:

"ADA Enforcement and How to File Complaints" at the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois, 122 S. Fourth St. (744-7777 v/tty).

'ADA Supreme Court Decisions' at the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living, One West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 501 (525-1308 v/tty).

"Access Recreation" at the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois, 300 E. Monroe, Suite 104 (522-7016 v/tty). An American Sign Language interpreter will be available at all locations.

Please join all persons with disabilities, their families and friends in Springfield and other communities in recognizing this historic piece of civil rights legislation. Whether it=s a backyard barbecue, attending a workshop, or by visiting or calling your Springfield Center for Independent Living at 426 West Jefferson (523-2587 v/tty) to learn more about the ADA and how it has positively affected the capitol city.