Happy 33rd Birthday to the ADA!
By: Sabrina Workman , Marketing Coordinator
National Disability Independence Day is celebrated every year on July 26th. It commemorates the signing of the The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. President Bush noted the following when he signed the act into law; “Three weeks ago, we celebrated our nation’s Independence Day, and today we’re here to rejoice in and celebrate another Independence Day, one that is long overdue,” he declared. “And with today’s signing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, every man, woman, and child with a disability can now pass through once-closed doors into a bright, new era of equality, independence, and freedom.”
The philosophy of TNS is that all people with disabilities deserve the opportunity to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives in their community. Our programs focus on building opportunities for young adults as they transition out of high school into the adult world. Join us in celebrating Disability Independence Day! Here are some examples of how TNS has helped those in our community build skills.
Alison Anderson and Emily Scott, participants in Lancaster County and Chester County respectively, sat down with us and answered a few questions on what independence means to them.
Question: What does being independent mean to you?
Alison: To me, being independent means advocating for myself, staying up as late as I want, and being able to buy and cook my own food. Being independent allows me to make my own decisions.
Emily: It means spending time to self advocate for me and others with special needs. It is also how to live by ourselves and with people who don’t have special needs.
Question: How has TNS helped you become more independent?
Alison: TNS has helped me become more independent through its evening programs. Each program has taught me life skills that I can apply in my daily life. For example, consumer math has improved my budgeting skills, the cooking course helped with being safe in the kitchen, and I have learned how to become a better advocate for myself.
Emily: TNS lets me be with new friends that I love, not only people with disabilities but people without as well. I’ve learned cooking, baking and paying bills. I’m working on other skills such as using the oven and how to use public transportation or Uber.
While Alison and Emily are just two of the many participants we serve, their thoughts on independence are what we strive for here at TNS. Here’s to many more years of celebrating disability independence and helping the young adults we serve become more independent!
