Key words

In the lexicon of the community of disabled people certain words stand out with special significance. Accessibility is one such of those words. To me it means more than ramps and curb cuts. It means having access to meaningful, good paying jobs with benefits. Adaptations and accommodations are huge. They level the playing field and make us competitive in the workplace. Inclusion means to be accepted into the classroom, neighborhood, or workplace with our non-disabled peers. Respect is to be treated with dignity and worth. All these words carry a lot of power for those of us who are disabled. They are more goals than reality for many of us who live in the shadows of the American dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is what motivates us onward in our fight to make these words a reality for all persons with disabilities.

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