| From the CEO
Perhaps you have been in our building and met Dart (the green dog) …or his “mother” Ada. Ada’s name references the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). But you might ask, “why Dart?”
Justin Dart is often referred to as the Father of the ADA.
Justin Dart grew up in nearby Chicago with a privileged life. His mother was the daughter of the founder of the Walgreens Drugstore chain, and his father was a self-made millionaire of Dart Industries. He attended private schools and the University of Houston, where, despite two degrees, he was refused a teaching certificate because of a disability. At the age of 18, Dart lost the use of his legs after contracting polio, as did others in 1948 (including his brother), and he used a wheelchair for the rest of his life. After several successful business ventures in Japan, he dedicated his work to transitional independent living programs teaching disadvantaged and disabled persons.
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Thoughts on the Americans with Disabilities Act
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Is the ADA Enough?
by: Andie Mosley
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The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law July 26, 1990. It prohibits the discrimination of people with disabilities in healthcare, voting, businesses, community events, criminal justice, technology, school, work, etc. I am one year older than the ADA. In my lifetime, I’ve seen many improvements to technologies, practices, and research on assisting individuals with disabilities and understanding their capabilities, but the ADA has remained the same. So, is this law enough?
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Universal Design
by: Joni Schmalzried
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Disability access and special education, by all accounts, are fairly young. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) just celebrated its 32nd anniversary. The first sweeping law that protected the right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with all disabilities (PL 94-142) was passed in 1975. Thank you to all of those with and without disabilities, organizations, communities, and advocates who pushed for, and supported, the passage of both monumental laws.
Why put them together here? While I remember the passage of both of those laws and what happened afterward very clearly, I know there is still much work to be done. I am grateful for where all the pioneers of disabilities rights have led us, and anxious for what is next for our communities, our schools and all individuals with disabilities (and those without).
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Above: Open office space with varying table heights and seating options. Below: Sensory room for those with sensory needs or for other employees to have a calming break. Both are elements of Universal Design at work & classroom.
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The Fort Wayne/Allen County Disability Council hosted a panel discussion at the AWSF office on July 26 to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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Gilmore Grant Opens in August 12
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Return of the TinCaps Game
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For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, we hosted over 1,100 individuals with disabilities and their caregivers/support staff for a TinCaps game. The employees at Parkview Field are always great about accommodating our needs and making it a great experience for everyone.
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Have you seen our new website?
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