Liza M. Shaftic
New Castle News
NEW CASTLE —
It’s been two decades since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
And that, one local organization believes, is reason to celebrate.
Disability Options Network sponsored a Freedom Fair on Saturday at Riverwalk Park downtown. Despite the heat wave, a large crowd gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the act and to raise awareness.
Various performers and guest speakers took part in the celebration. Mike Boston interpreted throughout the day, using sign language.
The Americans with Disabilities Act was introduced in the Senate on May 9, 1989, by Sen. Tom Harkin. The act was signed a little over a year later by President George H. W. Bush, on July 26, 1990.
It is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against the disabled. It has reduced barriers, changed perceptions and promoted full insertion into society.
“This includes physical barriers and attitudinal barriers,” said Bob Stoner, assistant executive director at Disability Options Network. “It’s more than ramps and curb cuts.”
Disability Options Network is a nonprofit organization that helps disabled people in Lawrence, Beaver, Butler and Mercer counties to live independently
“We try to empower people with disabilties, to live like everyone else does,” Stoner said.
The network, which has more than 800 members in the four-county area, serves as an advocate to prevent discrimination; offers support for financial assistance; teaches skills to help with everyday activities; provides informational material and referrals; and helps the disabled to find homes to live independently, rather than in an institution.
After the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed, things slowly became a bit easier for the handicapped, Stoner said. For instance, they no longer had to fight to take service animals into places such as restaurants.
However, there are still issues that arise every day, Stoner said, such as polling sites with no accessibility. That means there is still a lot of work to do.
“It’s our job if someone complains about a place not having an entrance for the disabled,” he said. “We have to go after it. There is no ADA police. We are the ADA police.
“This is not victory. The war’s not over yet. We are taking a little breath and celebrating. Then, we begin to fight again.”
Saturday’s Freedom Fair, which kicked off at 11 a.m., spotlighted both the victories and the challenges of the disabled.
“This fair means alot to me,” said Cheri Stutzman, member of PA Adapt, an organization that helps the disabled find suitable living quarters. “It’s helping to get the word out about discrimination and equality. It’s one step closer to reaching that freedom that everyone should have.”
Kali Davies sang the national anthem to get the fair started, followed by Marlene DeCristoforo and Amber Reigh performing “What Faith Can Do.”
Also performing throughout the day were the Lawrence County Community Band and the New Castle Playhouse Mini Stars.
Betty Braun, a member of the Lawrence County Community Band, felt strongly about Saturday’s message.
“This is a great cause and that’s why we are playing today,” she explained. “We are all volunteers and we love giving back. This is a chance for us to come out and build our community up.”
State representatives Chris Sainato and Jaret Gibbons were on hand, but the biggest attraction may have been former Pittsburgh Steeler J.T. Thomas.
Thomas, who won four Super Bowl rings with the Steelers, was 14 years old when he marched in Macon, Ga., for the civil rights movement. He eventually became the second African American to play at Florida State University.
He compared the discrimination he faced because of race to that experienced by the disabled.
Stone hopes that one day, the disabled no longer will face such challenges.
“They have fun. They laugh, cry, and celebrate,” he said. “They are people just like everyone else and we will do whatever we can for these folks who can’t fight the fight.”
