CPD celebrates anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act
Society is largely familiar with America’s struggle of racial segregation and discrimination. The names Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks reverberate in elementary school hallways as heroes. But there were other, quieter champions of the Civil Rights era. This week Utah State University students have been exposed to one such hero and his works nearly everywhere they go.
Twenty-five years ago, activist Justin Dart played a prominent role in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This legislation was the first to officially ban discrimination on the basis of disability. To commemorate this monumental legislation, the Center for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) has organized Disability Rights week.
As part of the activities, volunteers taped tags on points of accessibility all over campus. Wheelchair ramps, automatic doors, and even restroom stalls were all included.
“This week we don’t want people to not notice them,” said CPD development officer Shane Johnson.
Every year Johnson and the CPD have worked to recognize the anniversary of the ADA. In the past this included various seminars held closer to the actual anniversary date in late July of 1990. These events, however, brought limited support.
This year Johnson took a different approach.
“We really wanted to impact the student body, so we waited until fall to do the event. We decided we wanted to do something kind of disruptive, where we could get out in front of the student body during their normal daily routine,” Johnson said.
Hence, the 300 flyers adorned with cowboy hats that now spot campus. The cowboy hat is the trademark of Justin Dart and serves to raise awareness of his contributions to society.
“Justin Dart is a civil rights hero for people with disabilities, and all people really. We hope at least a few students will add Justin Dart to their list of civil right heroes along with Martin Luther King Jr.,” Johnson said .
The above goal, coupled with an increased appreciation for accessible public features, are the specific focuses for Disability Rights Week. But the long-lasting impact of this event on students has monumental potential.
“The group of students that are on campus now are the future adults running our country. Running our companies and voting, so our society is going to look like whatever they make it look like. I want to catch every student that comes through Utah State and give them this experience to take it out into the world with them when they graduate,” Johnson said.
Jaycee Harrison is an example of one student that has benefited from Disability Rights Week. A greater appreciation for the ADA has come to her as she has volunteered in the weeks’ activities. This will aid her in the future as she pursues a major in Social work and continues to develop her deep, yet simple desire to help people.
“I want to make peoples’ quality of life better. Those with disabilities are not broken; they don’t have to be fixed. They are just like anybody else and they want to be treated like everybody else they just need a little bit of help doing that,” Harrison said.
Another student, Sarah Bullen, has a special connection with this week’s events. Bullen is a part of Aggies Elevated. This program strives to give students with developmental disabilities a college experience who otherwise would be unable to. Bullen also volunteered by tagging accessible public features around campus.
“What I want students to take out of this week is that having a disability isn’t that big of a deal. It’s just something that’s hard for us and if you think something’s hard for us, let us try it and I bet you that we’ll be able to do it just like you would,” Bullen said.
All students have the opportunity to learn more about the Disability Rights Act and what it means for millions of people Thursday in the Taggart Student Center.
“If you go to the Taggart that day you won’t be able to miss it; you’re going to be confronted with this message,” said Johnson.
Booths with information, free movie with popcorn and birthday cake will all be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will also be comedy show from America’s Got Talent runner-up Drew Lynch and his friend Sam Comroe at 6 p.m. This event, and the valuable insight that accompanies it, is free to both students and the public and will be held in the TSC.
— emilyabel25@gmail.com