History
The American Disability Association was created in 1991. Although the name of the organization implies that their reach extends to only to the fifty states within the United States, the envelopment of their cause goes far wider, stretching from Uruguay to Alaska, and their positive impact has been felt and acknowledged all over the world. Since its inception, the American Disability Association has been dedicated to improving the lives of people living with disabilities locally, nationally, and globally.
Intent
The intent of the American Disability Association is to offer information to people with disabilities, to increase the awareness and understanding of the general public of the issues faced by those within the community of disabled people, and to better the lives and increase the access to freedom of individuals, with disabilities and their entire community.
Sponsorship And Methods
The mission and goals of the American Disability Association are funded by the donations of individuals and through the sponsorship and partnership of private and public entities. By creating bonds between like-minded people and groups, the organization seeks to build healthy relationships based on free-sharing of information and understanding throughout the entire global community. The organization relies heavily upon the internet community to create bridges through which fruitful interactions can take place.
Achievements And Current Projects
In 1992, the American Disability Association launched ADAnet, an internet-based international community, aimed at serving the global community of people with disabilities, by creating newsgroups pertaining to disabilities. Through the great newsgroup expansion, the organization was able to influence the perfecting of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Many of these groups are still very active today.
The American Disability Association worked from 1997 through 2007, to create a greater understanding of the relationship of diversity and disability and the impact one has on the other. Surveys received by every-day people with disabilities, led the organization to begin a documentary film entitled Disability in the Americas. Sadly, this effort was halted in 1998. The organization continues to believe in the benefit this project will offer and remains hopeful that this important work can be completed.
In 2010, the American Disability Association paired up with the US Census Bureau, to address the impact of the financial and economic statue of the nation upon people with disabilities. The organization also maintains a close partnership with the Special Victims Unit of the Department of Justice. In 2010 and 2011, The American Disability Association joined the RefleXions Image Discrimination Campaign in its effort to raise awareness of image discrimination.
Services For Those With Disabilities
In addition to its local, national, and global projects, the American Disability Association offers a wide range of information and resources, specifically for members of the community of individuals with disabilities. Information is made available through links on the organization’s website. This information can be utilized for purpose of educating people of the historical and present-day laws and rights, which apply to people with disabilities. The organization also offers links to various resources, such as public and private organizations, that offer assistance to individuals with disabilities.