Celebrating Disability Independence Day

As I reflect on Disability Independence Day, commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, certain questions are bouncing around in my head. I wonder how many other people with disabilities have been considered to not be disabled because they may have achieved some level of success? How many others have been viewed as incapable because of the boundaries that they face from their disability?

In my experience, even when I have completed an accomplishment, someone who knows me and wants to compliment me often says something like “Milton, you don’t have a disability. You do more than most of us.” The person giving this supposed compliment is trying to indicate that I do many things, sometimes much more than people expect me to do. However, it negates the things I had to struggle with to accomplish whatever we happen to be celebrating. If this is someone I am working with and ask for help, will they give it, especially if they don’t believe I am disabled? Will they consider me to be lazy if I do need assistance? If I ask for accommodations, will they be willing to make those adaptations to ensure I am successful?

There is a bigger question to ask when we look at this scenario: Why would saying that I didn’t have a disability be a compliment? The answer is simple: society views having a disability as something negative, instead of just a normal part of the human experience. They see disabled people as those who cannot do what people they consider normal are able to do. Disability is usually viewed as something different, but the reality is that the disability community is a group that anyone can join at any time. Injury, sickness, an accident or even old age could cause someone to have a disability. Because of society’s negative views of disabilities, people with disabilities have faced discrimination in the form of ableism and disablism. Ableism is discrimination in favor of able-bodied people. For example, before the Americans with Disabilities Act, buildings were not required to have elevators, which discriminated against people whose disabilities didn’t allow them to walk upstairs. Only non-disabled people had access to the upper floors of that building. Disableism on the other hand, is discrimination against people because of their disability, such as refusing to hire people who use mobility devices. Both ableism and disableism rob us of the gifts and talents of those in our community that may need some adaptations to participate in everyday activities.

Having a disability does not mean that you are less capable, it means that you may need help overcoming some obstacles that others may not encounter. As we reflect on Disability Independence Day, let us all strive to remove boundaries so that all people can participate and contribute to our society.

Pension Fund of the Christian Church understands that the needs of ministers and their families are many and great. True to their mission, “For the Support of Ministry,” they serve a diverse population who all do ministry differently – and they all deserve to have a retirement plan that works for them and their unique situations. The Pension Plan was designed to provide disability support should a member suddenly become unable to work. Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), many adults with disabilities still struggle to make ends meet, plan ahead, and improve financial decision-making. Financial literacy and MRA support are essential for promoting economic stability and independence among people with disabilities. By addressing specific challenges, we can create pathways to a better financial future for this population.

To learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act, visit ADA.gov.

To learn more about Rev. Dr. Milton Keyes, visit drmjk.com and advocatesembassy.com.