With 15th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act to be marked July 26, 2005, Illinois leaves many promises unfulfilled
Q&A with Allan I. Bergman, president and CEO, Anixter Center, Chicago

How many Americans have a disability?

54 million.

How has the ADA impacted employment for people with disabilities?

Only 35 percent of people with disabilities are employed full or part-time, as compared to 78 percent of those who do not have disabilities, according to a 2004 Harris Poll. Three times as many people with disabilities live in poverty with annual household incomes below $15,000, as compared with people without disabilities.

What about transportation for people with disabilities, particularly in Chicago ?

Enhanced transportation for people with disabilities is a key objective of the ADA. Chicago has done well in this regard. In 1993, only 45 percent of Chicago Transit authority (CTA) buses were equipped with lifts; today, virtually all of the CTA’s fixed routes are accessible. In recent years, verbal electronic stop announcements have been added — a necessity for people who are visually impaired. Also, CTA trains meet accessibility standards with elevators at “key” stops. However, the National Council on Disability recently cited a 2002 Bureau of Transportation study reporting that 6 millions Americans with disabilities have difficulty finding the transportation they need.

Have perceptions of people with disabilities changed in past 15 years?

Simply because there are now many more people with a variety of disabilities present in everyday community life, the level of discomfort and/or alarm among “able-bodied” persons has lessened, and to some degree, so has the stigma. That’s a step forward, but as a society we’ve still not made much progress in the true integration of people with disabilities as a part of life. Most people still don’t see past the disability to see the real person — the individual. Many people still don’t see the strengths or gifts of the person with a disability, because they’re still caught up in seeing only the object of the disability — for example — the wheelchair or the mental illness.

How has the public at large benefited from the Americans with Disabilities Act?

Nearly all communities are more accessible and all Americans are better off. Parents pushing strollers, workers delivering packages, in-line skaters, small children and America ’s aging population — all are accustomed to better accessibility within our architecture, transportation and communications systems.

Telecommunications and the ADA: How has Video Relay Service (VRS) enhanced communications for people who are deaf or hard of hearing?

Until recently, people who are deaf or hearing impaired could only make phone calls by typing on a TTY or “teletypewriter.” But now, with Video Relay Service, using a small camera and a two-way Internet connection, people who are deaf or hard of hearing can communicate using the World Wide Web. It’s a far more natural and effective means of communication for the as many as 34 million Americans with a significant hearing loss, including almost 6 million who are profoundly deaf.

How does Illinois compare to other states in following the ADA ?

Illinois hasn’t yet developed public policy in compliance with the ADA . It lags behind in providing residents opportunities to live and work in the “most integrated setting” available. Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota all do a better job of providing their citizens with disabilities a more integrated way of life that offers self-determination.

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The mission of the Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center is to assist people with disabilities to live and work successfully in the community. Anixter Center is a leading provider of high-quality vocational, residential and educational options, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and health care. Anixter Center is an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to be full and equal members of the community.