The Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network started its mission by providing disabled youth with the opportunity to exercise their leadership skills. While the network now engages all youth in leadership development and community service, engaging those with disabilities is still a priority. This is something that the PACCT PYLN also attempts to do, and it has inspired the Mission Project Committee to take on advocacy, and promotion of rights for the disabled.
Over the past few decades, there have been significant improvements for disability rights, in areas such as legislation and technology. In 1975, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) was passed, requiring schools to provide special education services, and Individualized Education Programs for eligible students with disabilities. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) was signed into law in 1990, marking a pivotal point in disability legislation. Among its directives, it prohibited discrimination towards those with disabilities, and required transportation, commercial facilities, etc., to have disability access and accommodations. Both Acts have also been amended multiple times, typically to clarify past clauses, or adjust to modern developments. More recently, we've seen changes and innovations in technology for the disabled. There are multiple companies both within and outside the U.S. dedicated to producing Assistive Technology (AT) for those with disabilities, and even big tech companies, like Google, are trying to get involved with developing and implementing AT, especially with their own products. While this recent progress is notable, much still needs to be done. And it's not just in areas of legislation, or technology. It's by combating the discrimination, stigma, and disregard towards people with disabilities, that, unfortunately, is still very prevalent in today's society. Such discrimination may be prohibited in the aforementioned disability rights legislation, but that's not going to prevent it from lingering or forming. In addition to this, there was a proposed amendment to the ADA within the last year that may prove to be more harmful than not towards the original mandates (to be discussed in the future). The Mission Committee hopes that, by discussing the current issues surrounding disability rights, and exploring what can be done to fix said issues, they can promote positive change, and help make a difference for those with disabilities. Sources: -National Center for Learning Disabilities -U.S. Department of Justice -National Public Radio Comments are closed.
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