By Josh Beckelhimer
On July 26, 1990 President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. Following laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the ADA is an “equal opportunity” act for people who have disabilities. The law guarantees that people with disabilities have equal opportunity to participate in normal American life. It allows people with disabilities to be employed, buy goods and services, and participate in government programs without discrimination.
This year Langsam Library and the Health Sciences Library are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the ADA with a display. The display provides information about the ADA and how it helps college students. The display shows that 11% of Undergraduates and 9% of Graduate students have disabilities, while 80% of students with disabilities choose not to disclose, thus reinforcing the importance of the law.
The display also provides information on the Langsam Library Adaptive Technologies Space and the Winkler Center for the History of the Health Professions. The Adaptive Technologies Space is a study area equipped with physical features such as a push button door, lights that turn off and different software like Dragon Naturally Speaking (speech-to-text), Zoom Text and more. The Winkler Center holds many artifacts and books related to disabilities such as a 1920 Invalid Chair and an early leg brace.
Come to Langsam to check out the display and learn more about the ADA! For more questions, contact UC Libraries Adaptive Technologies Coordinator, Debbie Tenofsky (513) 556-1888).
The ADA display is part of a Diversity Grant, “Bridges to Diversity and Inclusion,” the Libraries received to promote and celebrate diversity throughout the university community.