Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Part 1- The name of the law that I chose is the Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as the ADA. This was signed into law in the year 1990.

Part 2- The most basic component of the ADA entails a non-discriminatory behavior towards children and adults that may have a disability. Another basic component of the ADA is that all people who have any special needs are given equal opportunities alongside their fellow citizens who are classified as having no special needs. These components mean that special needs individuals are still individuals first and still need to be treated as such. It also means that we, as people who are classified as having no special needs, are no longer allowed to turn away, reject, or deny anyone of special needs the resources they may need to thrive. What this does is promote fairness between all people, creating equal opportunities to be successful in any and all of life’s various endeavors as such jobs, education, housing, child care, health care,
etc.

Part 3- The ADA law can impact classroom teachers in a number of ways.
One example of how the ADA may impact a classroom teacher is by having to prepare, plan, and/or organize ahead of time to accommodate her special needs student into her lesson plan. The teacher may have to include alternative assignments for her student and she may have to incorporate alternative teaching methods to her student learn in a more effective manner. The teacher could use big print books, blocks, counters, visual cues, etc. to help the lesson come alive for her special needs student, if need be. A second example of how the ADA law can impact a classroom teacher is by having to go over the daily class schedule with her special needs student. Special needs children in the early childhood classroom become more adjusted with their environment and peers when they know what to expect every day. By doing this, this may prevent any challenges for her special needs student, herself, and her non-special needs
students.

Part 4- The ADA is important for people with disabilities for many reasons. Out of all the people in the world, there aren’t as many people in the world with disabilities as opposed to people without disabilities. The first reason why this law is so important is because it gives special needs children and adults a voice to be heard. The voice built from the ADA says that if a person has a disability, they will be treated fairly and no longer be disregarded and mistreated. The voice also provides them with equal access and support for everyday life and all that life has to offer. The second reason why is the ADA is so important for people with disabilities is because it promotes fairness for life on their behalf. Employers, schools, and even child care centers cannot discriminate, reject, decline or deny an individual with special needs just because they may have a disability. There is already so much discrimination going on in our world today and over the past years. Why would we need even more separation and discrimination? Special needs or no special needs, disability or no disability…we are all still a part of the human race. The ADA helps to make sure that individuals with special needs stay individuals first.