The Winds of Change: The Societal Impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Is America really the "Land of Opportunity" as so many claim it to be? For the average person searching for a job, the answer would probably be "Yes" because there are so many jobs to choose from. However, for someone with a physical or mental handicap (from hereon called "challenge"), it is a lot more difficult. It doesn't matter how long a challenged person has been a volunteer at a job. More often than not, if a company has a job opening, it will be filled by someone who is just like the rest of the company. Also, if there is a shortage of people with challenges in a particular area, then that application is down the tubes as well.

I do not know how many people in the world have physical challenges, but that doesn't matter. We are human beings and we deserve to be treated like human beings. We can do everything other "normal" people can do, if given the proper opportunities. People look at us like we're ill and they need to treat us like we're ill. It is either that or avoid us completely. If given the chance to prove ourselves, we can become doctors, lawyers, authors, reporters, anything we want to be. We can look out for ourselves, and we do not need people to be as charitable as they think we do. If we ask for assistance, give it-or don't. Don't give us charity because you feel pity or shame for us. If we are teaching a group of people and we wanted to know what they learned the last time just as a review, do not take over for us, especially if all the other teachers are asking the same question. It is not only rude, but absolutely belittling as well.