The ADA Benefits All People, Not Just “Americans with Disabilities”
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: July 26, 2023
July 26, 2023, marks the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
This landmark civil rights law protects millions of people with disabilities across the country.
The Access Board is celebrating accessible design features encountered in everyday life that benefit everyone, not just those with disabilities. Read on to learn more!
- Ramps and Curb Ramps. Ramps and curb ramps help everyone using wheeled devices like strollers and wheeled briefcases! They are required in the ADA Accessibility Standards for wheelchair access.
- Detectable Warning Surfaces. Have you ever wondered what those surface patterns of small domes that cross curb ramps are for? They are detectable warning surfaces, designed to alert pedestrians who are blind or have low vision to the presence of a hazard, such as a road. They are also required on open boarding platforms in rail stations to discourage people from standing too close to the edge of the platform.
- Elevators. Moving between floors can be challenging when carrying luggage at the airport. Thanks to accessible design, we have access to elevators! And while elevators are convenient for moving your luggage, they’re required to provide airport vertical access for people with disabilities.
- Clear Walkways. No one likes to hit their head on wall sconces or walk into handrails, signs on posts, or wall-mounted drinking fountains. That’s why the ADA requires minimum headroom clearance and minimum horizontal protrusions.
- Audible and Visual Announcements. Isn’t it helpful to hear and see announcements for stops when riding a bus or subway line? Those audible and visual announcements are required so that people who are blind or have low vision or are deaf or hard of hearing can know when their stops are approaching.
While the ADA addresses accessibility as a whole, Social Security seeks to remove barriers to employment for people who receive disability benefits through the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program. The PABSS program provides legal representation and advocacy services for people receiving disability benefits under the Social Security Act who are experiencing a barrier to employment, whether they are trying to begin, regain, or maintain employment. We all benefit from accessible design, diversity in the workplace, and programs that support both, like the PABSS program.
Share this information with your neighbors, friends, and family! To learn more about the history of the ADA and the Access Board’s work, visit the Access Board’s website.
Our posting of this blog does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any non-Social Security organization, author, or webpages.
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Kathleen K.
That’s okay if they don’t put my email address on here that’s fine wrong my name’s out here that’s all I need
Kathleen K.
Well I’ve been told that I was able to have Medicaid but as of now I can’t because I’m over by $11 on the limit cuz I guess it’s $1,215 is what you can have for Medicaid for a person who lives on a small amount of Social Security disability we’ll be having a lot of them unpaid bills by the time she dies which is me but if the government can change some things around for the elderly people that do can have this the Medicaid as well as their insurance it would be very much appreciate it
Miguel P.
This is a good place to air grievances and unexpected results. I am for one is trying to get a refund for my bathroom railings to keep me safe from slipping. I gave up trying and hopefully someone will take notice of this. I am a 77 yr old Vietnam Vet with R/L knee, lower back, and right arm disabilities. God Bless
Kathleen K.
Have you checked in with your insurance company they do have some insurance companies do have it where you can get the bathroom so that you need for free it’s part of what’s in your in your policy I don’t know what going to have but I got mine and I didn’t find where I live at I had all the rails but I didn’t have everything else I wish you luck and I hope you get it just put your mind to the slot of that call your call your insurance company that is your medical insurance company call them and ask them about it
Tony
What is the retailer’s refund policy? If they won’t refund your money according to their policy, then you can file a complaint with the consumer protection agency or better business bureau.
Ted B.
Hello Miguel P thank you for your service. It’s something called a Reasonable Accommodations. The ADA and DDA (Developmental Disabilities Administration) can offer reimbursement or have installed equipment that you need to take care of your daily living arrangements. Hope everything work out for you.
gina m.
I am on socal security and I am trying to find a grant in the state I’m living in for my teeth. With no excuses I’m trying to get them done before my son gets accepted on the transplant list for his kidneys. With my age I know that I will have a harder time with recovery,so I’m trying to get them done asap. Cannot seem to get to the grants fast enough before they close. If you can direct me in the right direction I would be much greatly appreciated.thank you gina canale
Kathleen K.
I’m sorry but I’m sorry for you today I wish you luck going and everything in your life but for the last 2 years I have no teeth in my mouth I wanted to get implants because I can’t really put my top teeth in because I just have acid reflex and I just it’s bad but I can’t afford to get implants from my teeth for the house and they the company is just going to say they do stuff and there’s a lot of Genesis to do stuff so I don’t know I’m hoping I can find something like that soon cuz it really stinks when you can’t eat a lot of good food
Lisa A.
check put “Low Income Relief” on you tube she just put out a video on grants. There might be something there that can help. Good luck. Her name is Nicole.
Tony
Try GoFundMe.
Ann C.
Hi, Gina. Thank you for visiting our blog. You may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
John C.
I was disabled by Work Place Violence. My Sergeant hit disabling me permanently. My union and employer protected and promoted the Sergeant to Lieutenant. My employer refused separation pay under agreement. Union attorney agreed with me after seeing my evidence. I complained to all State, Federal agencies, N Y GOVERNORS to no avail. Many other adverse actions against me the victim. Worker Injury Agencies all in my favor. Who’s above the law?
Tony
You do not understand sovereign immunity. That us how the SSA gets away with discriminating against disabled people. The SSA charges twice as much organizational payee fees for individuals with alcoholism and drug addiction conditions than others for the same service.
Now the SSA is paying organizations twice with a grant under the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program. The organizations were already getting paid to find disabled beneficiaries jobs. Now they get a grant on top of it.
The SSA gives away free money and then says that they have no money to hire staff to answer the customer service phone lines.
Kathleen K.
Well I don’t know about people being above the law but they should be doing is doing you wrong because they should not assume you if something they did you didn’t do it they did it so you should be suing them I wish you luck with that
Tony
The employee is represented by the government. It is hard to sue the government and win.
The employer is responsible if their employee assault you as a customer or employee at their place of business.
The employee who assault you was acting in the performance of their duty and responsibility and represented by the government. You can’t sue the employee individually because he/she was working in the performance of their duty and responsibility. Liability is on the employer and not the employee.
That is the trade off for making the employer liable for assault by their employees. The employee was acting in the performance of their duty and responsibility and was not acting in an individual capacity.
Since it is a work injury, all you can get from the employer is worker compensation disability benefits. You can’t sue the employer for any other injury compensation that happened at work.
Herbert F.
Recently my sister and who are in wheelchairs was refused a ride on SSTA our local transport company. The driver never opened the door to say anything to us but was on his two way radio with his dispatcher who called me while we were sitting next to the bus to tell me the driver would not be taking us on our trip that we would have to wait another hour or more for her to fine another bus and driver so they could come get us. I was furious and told the dispatcher I felt we were being discriminated against us because the driver refused to load us onto the bus and his dispatcher did not have the nuts to tell him to do it. I spoke with the GM the following Monday he was looking into it but never reported back to me. The dispatcher still works for the company but not sure if the driver still works for them because I told them never send him again. What resources do I have?
Kathleen K.
I don’t blame you for being mad about that you’ve been sitting here that long waiting and something s*** happens cuz I know they know when you order the bus to come take you somewhere they’re never there on time to pick you up when you know you have a certain appointment at a certain time I’ve had people complain about it for now but I know I’ll be happy to take you
Elaine D.
I am a senior lady that has otosclerosis with progressive hearing loss. I had surgery at 17 years old on one side and at 24 years old on the other.
The second surgery failed after four years because the incus was damaged by the wire.
They tried to fix this but to no avail and now I am totally deaf in that ear and cannot even use an aid due to nerve damage.
Luckily the right held up to enable me to work and some schooling but after many, many years they cannot fix this and I had to retire earlier at 63 years old.
I maybe could use a cochlear but have no way to get around now.
Why do I get rejected for help over and over?
Thank you for listening
Sherri A.
I’m REALLY IN NEED FOR HELP IN GETTING ME A PLACE TO LIVE, I HAVE NO PLACE TO CALL HOME. I’M SO VERY DESPERATE AND DON’T KNOW WHERE OR WHAT TO DO, ME AND MY SERVICE DOG HAS BEEN STAYING IN CAR AND IN A TENT, I HAVE SEVERE RA & TYPE 1 DIABETIC. I REALLY NEED HELP SEVERELY BAD!!!..THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME ***
Ann C.
Hi, Sherri. We are sorry to hear about your situation. You may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Kathleen K.
Well I had a minor stroke in 2013 but my minor stroke is due to the fact that I had a blood clot in my leg and now I have to stay on Warfarin for the rest of my life which is great I don’t mind it only thing I do in mind I I hate it because a lot of things are you know affecting me I’m really sorry arthritis my nerves I can’t sometimes I can’t open stuff so and it really stinks I mean you can’t get a whole lot of help
Kathleen K.
I can give you some ideas on that you can look for like they call the community housing or not community housing but you have your own apartment but it’s a bunch of people in different apartments here that live here and they have you know it’s like you know I understand I’m looking to my gum Section 8 housing it’s a little bit cheaper for you to rent that way usually does I’m wanted I’ve been living in my apartment for a year now and I’m I’m happy with it I don’t talk to a lot of people but that’s me
Judy L.
I’ve done everything to try to find help getting a ramp put on my home because I can not climb my steps due to strength loss in muscles from lung cancer severe bone disease.
Also my son has had severe learning disability since a child has never been able to get the help he needs.
I just don’t understand who they are helping with any of this….
Jo
Hi Judy. Reach out to your county government. Governments sometimes receive federal grants for RAMP projects. If they don’t have the funds, your local village/city government may have, OR, if you have a public mass transit system in your area, they may have money for RAMP projects.
Jo
Oh…also, counties have government agencies for aging…they typically fall under the Department of Human Services. Reach out to them too.
Loye S.
Sometimes churches will sponsor projects to help disabled people and have members who can do the work. Try calling some of the local churches
In your area.
Kathleen K.
Did you trying to see if you can get like a chair left on me from the steps instead of you trying to go up on walk up the steps they have a chair with that goes down your stepson and goes up to your stuff where you know that helps a lot and I understand about things cuz my brother needs to get a transplant done he needs to set of lungs and he’s holding it on right now but I worry everyday
trina/daysha
Keep up the notices of ADA, recognizing the format of people differences of getting updated and upgraded especially health that gets better in finances.