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Anniversary of the ADA & my own "Proclamation"

By
Real Estate Agent with Access Homes NC

Today is the 20 yr anniversary of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). People all over the country today are celebrating one of the pivotal moments of the Civil/Disability Rights Movement. 20 years ago the Americans With Disabilities Act became law, opening many doors for the nation's largest minority group. I posted this on my Facebook account and an interpreter friend of mine who's sister uses a wheel chair, commented that not many people even know what the law is and that it impacts the LARGEST minority in our country. This maybe true but I want to stay focused on the positives.

I have seen changes since the law past. There are more people with disabilities featured in the media & advertising. Of course there should be since 20% of our population has some form of disability.  When we look at demographics that number will only grow. Want to reach a Trillion dollar market? Don't ignore people with disabilities!

Now the ADA does not apply to residential property but perhaps it should! What accommodations do you make in your business for people with disabilities?  What attitudes do you bring to your work about people of all abilities? Having a young son with autism, I watch any judgment I might have around "acting up kids" when they have had ENOUGH looking around at homes with their parents. Sometimes a disability is invisible and not apparent. If you are working with the senior population there are different things to be aware of such as sensitivity to diseases such as Alzheimer's and Dementia. Are you working with your local builders association to network with CAPS builders? Do you know that as  aprofessional you should be providing an ASL interpreter for a deaf client and paying for the service yourself?

For more information please visit http://www.accesshomesnc.com/

Yes I have a specialty niche and I am passionate & committed to it. That is why I have decided to post my own "ADA PROCLAMATION".

  wheelchair accessible home Icon                             thumbs up sign with access homes nc written inside

 

Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

A Proclamation of Recommitment to Full Implementation of the ADA

On July 26, 1990, President George H. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure the civil rights of people with disabilities. This legislation established a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

The ADA has expanded opportunities for Americans with disabilities by reducing barriers and changing perceptions, increasing full participation in community life. However, the full promise of the ADA will only be reached if public entities & businesses remain committed in their efforts to fully implement the ADA.

On July 26,2010 the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we Access Homes NC celebrate and recognize the progress that has been made by reaffirming the principals of equality and inclusion and recommitting our efforts to reach full ADA compliance.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Karen Barbour as owner of Access Homes NC do hereby reaffirm my commitment to work toward full ADA compliance in my local community of Cary, NC and the surrounding Triangle area. My mission is to be of service to the disability community as people with disabilites pursue the "American Dream" of buying or selling a home.

Michael O'Donnell
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Arizona Properties - Scottsdale, AZ
GRI, ePRO, Accessible Homes

Karen,

Good to hear from you again.  We here in Phoenix celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the ADA with a gala event on Saturday night with over 350 attendees, including two state senators, one state representative, one U. S. Congressman and several local mayors.  These folks understand the importance of equal rights under the law for this constituency.

Unfortunately, enforcement and compliance to the ADA requirements still leaves a lot to be desired, especially when public access business self-police and misrepresent the accessibility of their businesses.  Still, things are better than they were 20 yrs ago this week.

Although ADA has not been enforced in private residences, a careful read of the actual text of the law, does not summarily dismiss its application in all areas. Still, for residential real estate, the tools best used are the Fair Housing Laws, Visitability Ordinances, and the power of the pocketbook.  Here in the Phoenix metro area we have over 400,000 people with some form of physical disability - to ignore these folks is just plain bad business.

Thanks for the ADA shoutout!

Jul 26, 2010 09:48 AM
Anonymous
Karen Barbour

Thanks Michael for responding. We here in Raleigh had a much smaller ADA celebration called the Access Awards that happen every yr on the anniversary. I ma pleased to say we have out grown the venue which is a museum in down town Raleigh.  A few towns have tried to implement a "visitability ordinance" but to my knowledge we do not have one in the Triangle area. Maybe in another 10 yrs people will have pushed for that more and town planners and developers will have responded in a positve way!  We can HOPE!

Jul 26, 2010 10:55 AM
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