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DBTAC Northwest: ADA Information Center
Cultural Diversity and the Americans with Disabilities Act:
One of the activities that staff at the DBTAC Northwest ADA and IT Center are heavily involved in is that of educating people with disabilities and members of the business community about their rights and responsibilities under the ADA.With the U.S. population growing more diverse every year, it is important to explore some of the challenges we may face in reaching diverse members of the community.
The first challenge we may see is how disability is viewed in different cultures. Some recent immigrants to the U.S. do not realize they have rights under the ADA because in their native countries they may not have laws that protect individuals with disabilities. Some of these individuals may be used to being seen as second-class citizens and are not willing to advocate for themselves, especially because they are in a different country and do not want to cause trouble.
A second challenge is creating awareness about invisible disabilities. Many people mistakenly believe mobility or other visible disabilities are the only conditions that are protected under the ADA. It is very important for individuals with other types of disabilities to learn about their rights, especially when it relates to employment and the need for reasonable accommodation. Oftentimes, they may not realize they may be protected, and encounter discrimination, hostile work environments, and loss of employment as a result.
A third challenge is educating business owners about their responsibilities to provide equal access to people with disabilities. With more and more small businesses emerging in increasingly diverse communities, it is very important to educate owners about the ADA. We have heard countless stories about businesses that will not allow a service animal on the premises because of cultural beliefs and values. That is just one example of the types of barriers people with disabilities encounter in their day-to-day activities in the business community.
At the DBTAC Northwest ADA and IT Center, we are committed to continue being a resource to people with disabilities and the business community. We especially want to reach members of diverse communities so they begin learning about their rights and responsibilities under the ADA and other related disability laws. We encourage you to refer your friends, family members, or anyone else you feel may benefit from our services. By doing so, people with disabilities can begin feeling empowered to become self-advocates and business owners can learn to better serve their customers. Good Access is Good Business.
One of the activities that staff at the DBTAC Northwest ADA and IT Center are heavily involved in is that of educating people with disabilities and members of the business community about their rights and responsibilities under the ADA.With the U.S. population growing more diverse every year, it is important to explore some of the challenges we may face in reaching diverse members of the community.
The first challenge we may see is how disability is viewed in different cultures. Some recent immigrants to the U.S. do not realize they have rights under the ADA because in their native countries they may not have laws that protect individuals with disabilities. Some of these individuals may be used to being seen as second-class citizens and are not willing to advocate for themselves, especially because they are in a different country and do not want to cause trouble.
A second challenge is creating awareness about invisible disabilities. Many people mistakenly believe mobility or other visible disabilities are the only conditions that are protected under the ADA. It is very important for individuals with other types of disabilities to learn about their rights, especially when it relates to employment and the need for reasonable accommodation. Oftentimes, they may not realize they may be protected, and encounter discrimination, hostile work environments, and loss of employment as a result.
A third challenge is educating business owners about their responsibilities to provide equal access to people with disabilities. With more and more small businesses emerging in increasingly diverse communities, it is very important to educate owners about the ADA. We have heard countless stories about businesses that will not allow a service animal on the premises because of cultural beliefs and values. That is just one example of the types of barriers people with disabilities encounter in their day-to-day activities in the business community.
At the DBTAC Northwest ADA and IT Center, we are committed to continue being a resource to people with disabilities and the business community. We especially want to reach members of diverse communities so they begin learning about their rights and responsibilities under the ADA and other related disability laws. We encourage you to refer your friends, family members, or anyone else you feel may benefit from our services. By doing so, people with disabilities can begin feeling empowered to become self-advocates and business owners can learn to better serve their customers. Good Access is Good Business.
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