| Albert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell, Edison, Franklin | | | | its fullest and richest form. Thus, in 1990, "The |
| D. Roosevelt, General George Patton, Robin Williams, | | | | Americans With Disabilities Act" was created and |
| Walt Disney, Janet Reno, Neil Cavuto, and Michael J. | | | | placed as federal law. This law essentially guarantees |
| Fox. | | | | physically or mentally challenged people to be given |
| Aside from being very successful in their chosen fields, | | | | the same opportunity to work and live in their |
| what commonality do these individuals share? Each of | | | | communities as productive citizens and employees. In |
| these people have disabilities. If these individuals were | | | | some cases, accommodations are made to assist |
| not allowed to contribute their talents and expertise to | | | | these people with daily living so that they are able to |
| our world, how would that affect our world as we | | | | function effectively in the workplace and as private |
| know it? The answer to that question would require a | | | | citizens. |
| philosopher with thoughts much loftier than mine. The | | | | There are those hiring managers, HR recruiters, etc. |
| idea however; is important to explore. We must be | | | | that may pause and question themselves if they are |
| grateful to a society who has progressed to the point | | | | faced with hiring a disabled candidate. There are the |
| where balance is given to all people, not just people of | | | | usual misconceptions and assumptions of the disabled |
| favor. Hence, that balance comes in the form of a law | | | | employee will be less skilled and produce substandard |
| entitled "Americans with Disabilities Act". | | | | work as a result, or perhaps the fear that the |
| What are the criteria or definition of disability? The | | | | employee is skilled, but they can't do their job as well |
| ADA defines it as such; "To be protected by the ADA, | | | | as another employee. That is why education and |
| one must have a disability or have a relationship or | | | | federal laws are as vitally important to our growth as |
| association with an individual with a disability. An | | | | a people and our society. |
| individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a | | | | Along with knowledge, accommodation and |
| person who has a physical or mental impairment that | | | | perseverance will create a more level ground in which |
| substantially limits one or more major life activities, a | | | | to judge all employees equally. I believe the following |
| person who has a history or record of such | | | | quote summarizes our society's need for reminders |
| impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as | | | | such as this. |
| having such impairment." | | | | "... Knowledge must continually be renewed by |
| One of our most basic and essential rights as people | | | | ceaseless effort, if it is not to be lost. It resembles a |
| affect our social, personal, and professional lives. That | | | | statue of marble which stands in the desert and is |
| basic and essential right is to be treated equally and | | | | continually threatened with burial by the shifting sand. |
| afforded the same opportunities as any person in this | | | | The hands of service must ever be at work, in order |
| country, regardless of race, religion, disability or beliefs. | | | | that the marble continue to lastingly shine in the sun. To |
| Early in our history, many people struggled to afford | | | | these serving hands mine shall also belong. |
| our future generations the freedom to enjoy equality in | | | | |