Disability Strong!

I went with a friend to a celebration of the 23rd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), in Boston today and loved it! (The ADA is a civil rights law that mandates, among other things, that people with disabilities have equal access to buildings, jobs, and services. It also prevents discrimination against these individuals.)   There was music and food,  speeches by Boston's Mayor Menino and other dignitaries and even a flash mob. What I especially liked about the event was the t-shirts that were given out to everyone who attended. (After all, one can never have too many t-shirts.) These particular shirts (as you see below) had Boston Strong on them with traditional disability symbols. The words on the shirt seemed symbolic to me in that everyone I know who has a disability shows strength to me in facing each day head on and refusing to let anything stop them. The fact that the ADA exists to aid these people in living full lives testifies to how people with disabilities have more of a voice and can be more active now than ever before. It is true that there is always more that could be done to help people with disabilities to live life to the fullest. However, the fact that people in high places are willing to support people with disabilities through passing legislation and that events are held to celebrate and recognize people with disabilities' capacity to live full and active lives, is inspiring. It is yet another sign that people in Boston and indeed throughout the country have a lot of strength and I think what's really admirable about that is that there are so many who are willing to use that strength to help people in general and people with disabilities in particular. It is with all that strength combined that I believe contributes to making society as strong as it can be.