by Paavna Rangarjan
Discrimination amongst those with disabilities is quite apparent. But what is a disability? Well, it is a physical or mental condition limiting one’s movements and senses. There are many inequalities that come with having disabilities in society. To start, those who are disabled experience lower education levels and employment rates. 70% of people with disabilities of the region are unemployed and 48% of people with disabilities have an income of $15,000 or less. It is also very difficult for them to regularly participate in school with having bullying affecting disabled students' educational potential negatively. There are however many disability acts in a play to try and change this! For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which was passed in 1990 provides civil rights protection for those who are disabled. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications, and access to state and local government' programs and services. Another act that supports those with disabilities is the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA). This act is a civil rights law that was originally passed by Congress in 1990 (as the Americans with Disabilities Act-ADA) and protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace, as well as in school and other settings. Overall, there are so many ways those with disabilities are being pushed down every day however if we allow for small changes every day we can cause a change! And as Christopher Reeve simply puts it, "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."
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