News 12 at 6 o'clock, July 26, 2010

The Americans with Disabilities Act regulates transportation, parking, and employment for disabled people.It was signed into law twenty years ago today. Business owners say meeting ADA standards can be very expensive, especially in older buildings. Disabled people in our area say it's worth every penny.

Robbie Breshears works every day to help disabled people live more independently. Walton Options serves people in six counties, helping them find the technology and resources they need to live comfortably.

He says his personal and professional goal is "To go through my daily life and do what people who do not have a disability are able to do."

Robbie points out the ADA does not give disabled people extra privileges. "It allows people with disabilities the same services that people without disabilities have." This includes parking, eating, walking, and working- just like everyone else.

Matt Schlachter is the Director of Construction and Maintenance for Columbia County. "Any kind of new construction we do in the county we make sure we comply with all the ADA rules. We want to be accessible for all the members of the county and make sure that anyone who needs to get into our offices can."

Schlachter explains that many people take for granted every day actions like crossing a busy street. Visually privileged citizens can see cars coming and signs that indicate when to walk. Those who are visually impaired rely on different means to determine when it's safe to enter an intersection.

One way the government construction helps is by installing red truncated domes where sidewalk hits road. This month Columbia County has added them to twelve intersections. With materials and cost of construction, it adds up to an $8,000 project.

Schlachter says, "It does get kind of pricey when you're talking about $3,000 for one ramp, but it's worth it. It keeps people moving, it gives them access to the sidewalks. It's well worth the money." He says that of all their construction projects, adding more accessibility for disabled citizens is one that he's never heard a complaint about.

Corbin Mckenzie is in a wheelchair. He was recently hired at the YMCA on Wheeler Road, where they've made accommodations for his computer and wheelchair. He is grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.

Mckenzie believes employment access has immeasurably improved since 1990. "Without the Act, I don't believe I'd be able to get a job."

Breshears agrees. He says after twenty years, disabled people can people function equally in society. "Before this piece of legislation, people with disabilities struggled to be able to do the basic things."

Breshears points out that accessibility is by no means perfect at every business and building near Augusta. But, he says, the ADA is the "backbone" of improving accessibility in our area.

According to the Act, it's illegal to not hire a qualified candidate simply because he or she disabled. An employer must make reasonable accommodations for a disabled applicant or employee.

This does not mean the owner must hire a disabled person if doing so would cause severe hardships. For example, the employer may consider safety and health, maintaining standards of their business, and financial impact when hiring a disabled person. The ADA website also explains what tax credits and grants that are available to help businesses make these accommodations.