ADA - Accessibility

Since the passage of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, revolutionary changes have occurred in accessibility to public and private accommodations for persons with disabilities.

When you see existing or new buildings with curb cuts, ramps, Braille signs, telecommunications devices for deaf people and other accessibility features for citizens with disabilities, you are seeing ADA legislation in action.

Individuals with disabilities now experience the freedom of movement, and all that goes with it including working, shopping, visiting friends and relatives, that the rest of society has always enjoyed.

Here at the Office for the Physically Challenged, one of our most important tasks is to help governments and private owners comply with the law. We also inform businesses of the generous tax benefits and incentives available to help defray their costs.

We stress that complying with the law doesn't have to be prohibitively expensive. In fact, it' s simply good business. In a society which requires the talents of all its citizens, 54 million Americans with disabilities comprise an impressive and largely untapped work force and consumer market.

If you are a private owner or a government official, we want to help you comply with the law. To help us do the job effectively, we ask that you submit all questions to us in writing. We will respond promptly and courteously.

The Office of the Physically Challenged wants all of our citizens to be included in the social, economic and cultural life of our communities. The full inclusion now required by the law benefits all citizens. Negative attitudes and structural barriers traditionally placed limitations on the capacities of individuals with disabilities to live, work and play side by side with the rest of us. Studies have shown that $195 billion in earnings and taxes are lost each year because of unemployment among people with disabilities. Our role is to help individuals with disabilities help themselves by assisting businesses, consumer facilities and government agencies to modify their policies, practices and procedures as well as remove structural barriers where necessary.

Surely, full participation and equal opportunities in the work force, consumer markets, educational realm and technology revolution enrich the fabric of our society as well as empower people with disabilities to realize individual potentials.