CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- 35 years ago this weekend, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law.
The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disabilities.
The All-Access Fair on Friday at Coolidge Park highlighted multiple local resources available to local disabled residents.
It was organized the Chattanooga Mayor’s Council of Disability
For Lyndi Locke, the secretary of that council, it’s a personal mission.
She said, “I’m affected with cerebral palsy and I navigate the world with a walker, wheelchair, and scooter, and it’s always been a goal of mine to help Chattanooga become a more accessible place. “
According to the CDC, over one fourth of all Americans have some sort of disability.
The passage of the ADA has led to more public accommodations.
However, getting around in Chattanooga can still be tricky.
Locke said, “Since I navigate the world with a scooter mostly, I tend to look for curb cuts and smooth sidewalks, and navigating accessible restrooms. Sometimes I find, that you can have a little handicap sign somewhere where it’s marked accessible. It may not be as practical as it could be.”
One of the things the city of Chattanooga has begun to do to help with mobility of those with disabilities is install raised bumps in areas where you don’t have the curb cuts to allow people to transition off the sidewalks to cross the road.
There has also been more specialized transportation options introduced.
Locke said, “So it’s been really neat to see those things come take place.”
She says that she is encouraged about the future of accessibility in Chattanooga.
Locke said, “I hope that as the years go on maybe public transportation is improved. Better public restrooms. Just more curb cuts, more ramps, and it’s just these small details that maybe an abled person would never think about, that make the biggest difference as a whole when we’re considering accessibility.”
The Mayor’s Council on Disability will continue to meet to discuss these issues.
