C AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT Discussion 5

My Response To be honest, I had never read the Disability Act nor any section of the Rehabilitation Act. I figured since it did not apply to me why would not need that information. Now that I have researched the topic I have learned that as a student and future teacher I need to be aware of these situations. Although I am not sure I understood everything clearly this is what I understood from the articles I read. It seems that these two acts are laws put in place in order for people with disabilities to receive the same advantages as anyone else when using technology and the internet. These acts are directed towards colleges and companies who fail to provide access for the disabled to its web based services. As a teacher, if I were to have a visually impaired child in the classroom and the class project included research on the internet I would have to include certain specialized websites and computer for the student to be able to do his/her work. The assignment should not be changed entirely do to his/her disability but instead have certain accommodations for the student as there would be accommodations for any other students with disabilities.

Classmate Response Erika, I have heard of the ADA and knew some information, but not nearly as much as I thought I did, so I kind of understand where you are coming from. I agree with you, as a future teacher knowing some of the ins and outs of the ADA is a great quality to have. I think it will help you as a teacher, but as well as others around you. Each year is different, and you may never know when you will need information over the laws that contribute to individuals with disabilities.

Classmate Discussion Melanie Tanner Being that I am married to a man that has a service dog, I am well educated on the Americans with Disabilities Act. Because there was not a specific question asked, I will share some of my life with you all for a greater understanding from my point of view, versus what a document has to say. My husband was thrown into a rock pile from an explosion while serving in Iraq. From that, he now has what is called a TBI (traumatic brain injury) as well as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). After many years of suppressing the issues, he finally sought out counseling and medication to help alleviate a few of his daily struggles. With the large amount of research I did, I came across an organization called, Patriot Paws Service Dogs based out of Rockwall, Texas. This organization gives service dogs to wounded veterans free of charge. This organization is a (non profit-504) which means they function solely off of sponsors and donations. He received his service dog named Tyndall, in February of Since then he has made leaps and bounds of improvements to where he was. Tyndall helps him in ways that you could not even imagine possible. Such as, waking him when he has nightmares or getting him drinks from the fridge. Having his dog has truly saved his life! The Americans with Disability Act gives people like my husband the ability to go out and get jobs or hold his job without the fear of losing his job because he takes a dog with him to work everyday. He is extremely skilled at what he does and was very fearful that he would end up losing his job due to the fact of taking Tyndall with him to work everyday, but his company will even say that he is a better worker with the dog there than he ever was without. These laws allow him the protection to feel that he can go and be successful despite his disabilities.

My Response to Melanie First, I want to thank your husband for his service to our country. I cannot imagine the things he has had to go through but I am glad for you and your family that he is know in doing a lot better. Thank you for sharing your story. It has helped me see how the Disability Act has helped your husband and many more veterans who have also served our country.

Classmate Discussion Brandy Bryant The ADA encompasses many laws and regulations that are meant to ensure that Americans with disabilities have equal access to all the things that Americans without disabilities enjoy, as well as added protections against discrimination in employment, access to education, and access to public facilities. Though most discrimination against individuals with disabilities is unintended, it is wrong, and the government attempts to address these issues via the ADA and all its current updates. Section 508 is specifically concerned with access to electronic information about government programs, facilities, and services for civilians and government employees. It seems reasonable to expect that an individual with disabilities should be able to access this information equally as well as those without disabilities. However, what seems reasonable is not always so obvious. The provision calls for self-audits of accessibility for all among government agencies. Since the majority of people working in government today likely do not have disabilities, the law requires those individuals to take an inventory of their systems each year and think about those with disabilities. They must ask themselves questions, such as: how will those with vision impairments access information on their website, how will those with physical disabilities enter our offices independently in order to come in and speak with a government agent in person, and more. Without the law, people without disabilities would likely never think about these things and end up discriminating unintentionally against citizens with disabilities.

My Response to Brandy I do think sometimes individuals do not recognize when they discriminate towards somebody with a disability. I don't think they do it out of ignorance but actually because they assume everybody is like them. These laws that have been put in place to protect people with disabilities, have made an impact on people but not everyone is aware of them or takes time to read through them. Becoming a teacher, has made me aware of these laws.