Waiting for ADA to be fully enforced

On Monday evening, July 17, the mayor and Township Council members in my hometown of Old Bridge proudly presented a proclamation regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), honoring it on its 16th anniversary on July 26.

When I gave a small speech after accepting the proclamation, I firmly stated that a lot needs to be done to enforce the ADA. I told how businesses and buildings are still inaccessible and not compliant according to the ADA, and that accessible-parking laws are not being enforced.

I talked about the positive accomplishments that have been made, such as making the town hall and the rest of the Old Bridge Civic Center, which includes the senior center, recreation department and public library, accessible with automatic doors (though they are not covered by the ADA), and other accommodations such as accessible restroom stalls and all the accessible-parking signs warning of a $250 fine for each violation.

I also said that we should celebrate the construction and near completion of the Chuck Costello Housing Complex in Old Bridge, which is one of the few housing complexes in our state designed to be fully accessible for people with disabilities. I hope that the completion of the Costello complex will bring even more construction of housing projects for citizens with disabilities to live independently in our state.

Much needs to be done, such as working with businesses, medical offices, polling sites and other facilities to make them more accessible. Also, accessible-parking laws need to be enforced, whether there are stickers with the $250 fine affixed to the signs or not.

In addition, citizens with disabilities remain the most unemployed and underemployed. When people with disabilities do finally have a job and obtain gainful employment, they remain underpaid and make much less money than their colleagues without disabilities. Many people with disabilities live below the poverty line and find difficulties making ends meet.

The real honor will come when the ADA is fully enforced as a civil rights law, so people with disabilities will be respected as citizens who lead full and productive lives and contribute to our community in so many ways.

Anita Clavering

Old Bridge