When we hear about those who are disabled, we usually think of senior citizens, or those who were born with a crippling disease. However, disability can strike anyone; and most of us will face some type of disability during our lifetime, either temporary or permanent. A disability can originate from an unexpected illness, an automobile or motorcycle accident, an act of war, a fall, a stroke, back problems, or any number of unforeseen circumstances.

When a person is faced with a physical disability, the world can suddenly become an unfriendly place. And if it is necessary to use a wheelchair, crutches, or walker, getting around can become a maze of difficulty and frustration. Simply crossing a street can be unmanageable with high curbs; and attempting to get into a narrow bathroom stall with a walker can be hopeless. Massage Therapy Schools become a must. A building with stairs, but no elevator, suddenly confines the disabled person to the first floor. Most ambulatory people do not consider these hurdles that are common to the disabled.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, over 34 million people in the United States are living with chronic conditions that limit their everyday activities. This does not include those in nursing homes or other institutions. Over 15 million people cannot walk a quarter of a mile. Among the disabled are people of all ages, races, nationalities and most professions – including teachers, engineers, scientists, doctors, musicians, lawyers, and computer specialists.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was passed to protect those qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination in “job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment”. Any employer with 15 or more employees is mandated to provide fairness in employment practices, and to provide accommodations on the job for those with special needs. Wheelchair ramps, elevators, widened bathroom doors and stalls, and specialized parking are just a few of the adjustments that may be expected of employers. Those employers who do not comply open themselves to costly lawsuits and fines.

But the bottom line is that the wealth of knowledge, skills, and talent among the disabled is a valuable national resource. And it is to our benefit as a society to provide a safe and user-friendly environment in which they can flourish and enhance the world in which we all live.