Celebrate ADA Anniversary and Press Ahead!

Today, we share reflections on the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act from two friends of Syracuse Cultural Workers, each of whom has done remarkable work on self-advocacy and expanding the rights of people with disabilities. The first piece is by Micah Fialka-Feldman and the second by Karen Gillette. Both are rich with learning.

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Tomorrow is the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act – a law which changed the lives of people with disabilities. It prohibited discrimination, greatly increased accessibility, expanded the definition of disability and provided important support in employment and daily living, I was only four when the ADA was passed, so wasn't aware of it back then. But as I grew up, I learned about the many ways that the ADA improved life for people with disabilities.

Sadly, it's not a great year to celebrate the anniversary since so many of the achievements of the ADA are under threat right now. It's a hard time for people with disabilities and others as the federal government treats us with disrespect and is trying to reduce services so much.

Living with an intellectual disability as Trump is president is really hard. This is a very scary time. We need community and circles of support even more now, even though they have always been important. And we need to come together to push for change so that we can make things better for people with disabilities, not worse for us.  This president doesn't even know how to treat anyone with respect. 

The big ugly bill they recently passed is very bad. They say the cuts won't go into effect until after the 2026 midterms, but it's a very dangerous law which threatens my rights.

I hold onto hope because people are still fighting to retain services to allow people to live in their homes and get the help they want and need to live independently. I remain hopeful because I live in New York, rather than Florida or other red states where things are going to get worse. I can hire my own staff and decide what services and assistance I need.

I also remain hopeful since now many people with disabilities can go to college with the supports they need to have a full college experience. When I went to college at Oakland University in MI, the college initially said I could live in the dorm, but then said no. I had to sue them, and after a two year court case, in 2009, we won, opening the doors for many people with disabilities to live in college dorms. It allows for people to have a choice.

In these coming years, we have to keep fighting for our rights. We can do it.

All the best,

Micah Fialka-Feldman

Micah Fialka-Feldman is a self-advocate, disability rights activist and friend of Syracuse Cultural Workers who teaches at Syracuse University. Learn more about Micah.

PS: I encourage you to check out The Ride Ahead, a documentary about Samuel Habib which recently aired on PBS' POV series.

Related Products at: https://syracuseculturalworkers.com/collections/disability-rights

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From Karen Gillette

I'm an Independent Self-Direction Support Broker within the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities and and self-proclaimed activist/survivor depending on the day. This month marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). In the summer of 1990, while completing the last class for my bachelors at the University at Albany, I sat mesmerized watching President George W. Bush sign the ADA into law. I thought the law would be a game changer and open up avenues of inclusion that were unimaginable for previous generations of people with disabilities. In many ways, it has. But we still have a long way to go.

Despite the passage of this monumental law, there are still enormous obstacles for those of us with disabilities. I am the youngest of 7 children and the first person in my family to graduate with a bachelor's degree. Despite having a college degree, I am still not granted the same rights and economic autonomy as my siblings.

I grew up outside of the Village of Chittenango (about 15 miles east of Syracuse) with many obstacles to inclusion. But, like in many small working class towns, there was room for creative and innovative thinking that might not have looked pretty, but got the job done. For example, I was integrated into the school classroom because there were no other options. Consequently, I was granted the opportunity to prove myself and my intelligence. My classmates were allowed to push my wheelchair and offer physical assistance. Sometimes I flew out of my wheelchair, but my classmates, without a second thought, helped me back into my seat! There were many structural barriers to housing, transportation and employment. I remember not being able to attend the opening football game at the Carrier Dome because of the lack of accessibility. Now, thankfully, there is accessible seating at the Dome.

This month also marks 30 years since I moved back to Central New York, and I always have mixed emotions around these two anniversaries. Although great strides have been made for the inclusion of people with disabilities, the unemployment rate is still high. There is still the fight for equal employment, housing and transportation. Each of these components rely on each other for success to be possible.

Regardless of the present administration, with fascism on the rise, it is still important to remain hopeful that the freedom and self-determination of all people will win out in the end. Without hope and determination, it is impossible to move forward.

-Karen Gillette, Syracuse, NY