On My Own open house celebrates ADA's 20th year

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which protects more than 50 million Americans, and On My Own, Inc., in Nevada, will be celebrating the ADA Anniversary with a community picnic Wednesday, Sept. 29. The picnic is open to the public and offered free of charge at noon at On My Own, Inc., located at 428 E. Highland. Vendors will be available to demonstrate a variety of assistive devices, 10 a.m. -- 2 p.m. Tours of the On My Own Facility will be offered.

According to information supplied by On My Own, Inc., one in five people are living with at least one disability, and most Americans will experience a disability some time during the course of their lives.

Signed into law by President George H. Bush, the ADA protects the civil rights of people with disabilities. The legislation established a clear and concise national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Over the last 20 years, the ADA has expanded opportunities for individuals in the community by reducing barriers, changing perceptions, and increasing participation in community life.

The Act guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in:

* Employment

* Public accommodations

* Transportation

* State and local government services

* Telecommunications

Since the ADA was enacted in 1990, opportunities have been expanded for people with disabilities to be more empowered, independent, active, and contributing consumers and members of the workforce and their communities. For example, people with disabilities go to school and attend places of worship. They also vote, marry, have children, work, and play sports. However, more work is needed to be done to enable people with disabilities to become even more independent and involved in their world.

Improving the health and wellness of people with disabilities

Good health is important to work, learn, and fully participate in society. Having a disability does not mean a person is not healthy or that he or she cannot be healthy.

People with disabilities face many barriers to good health. They need health care and health programs for the same reasons anyone else does -- to stay well, active, and a part of the community. That means having the tools and information to make healthy choices and knowing how to prevent illness.

Disabilities and related health conditions

There are many types of disabilities, such as those that affect a person's hearing, vision, movement, learning, communication with others, or social relationships. Disabilities can affect different people in different ways. Studies show that people with disabilities are more likely than people without disabilities to report:

* Poorer overall health.

* Less access to adequate health care.

* Smoking and physical inactivity.

People with disabilities often are at greater risk for health problems that can be prevented.

Access to the best health care

Being healthy means the same thing for all of us; for people with disabilities, it also means knowing that health problems related to a disability can be treated.

Health professionals need to be aware of how to effectively communicate with patients who have a range of disabilities, including people who are deaf or hard of hearing, or who have a speech, vision, or intellectual disability.

Sometimes, we take things for granted -- like being able to open a door, climb stairs, fill out a form, or see or hear someone. For people with disabilities, getting health care can be difficult because of lack of access.

Access can include parking spaces close to entrances, well-placed ramps or curb cuts, and doors that are wide and easy to open so that people with disabilities can get into buildings. Once inside, people with disabilities need access to counters and exam tables that are low enough to reach, print that is large enough to read, and equipment that is easy to use.

On My Own, Inc., Executive Director Jennifer Gundy said the mission of the local facility as "Empowering people with disabilities to live as full and productive members of society. We strive to offer services for our community members to allow them to live in their own homes. We provide home modifications and ramps, equipment loans, adaptive telephones, adaptive internet software programs, advocacy, and in home care at little or no charge to the consumer." On My Own, Inc. also offers care for veterans and special needs children.

For more information, contact On My Own at (417) 667-7007 or (800) 362-8852.

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