The 7 wonders of the world of disabilities

Exceptional Parent, The, Nov, 2008 by Jan Carter Hollingsworth, Laura Apel

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I'm sure you saw the coverage in 2007--everywhere from USA Today to National Geographic. The New 7 Wonders of the World organization announced a shiny new list of the world's premier candidates. (For more information, visit www.new7wonders.com) A whopping 100 million global citizens cast their votes, naming their picks for the seven international representatives of historical human heritage. What topped the list? Rome's coliseum; Machu Picchu, the Amazon's city in the clouds; India's Taj Mahal; the Mayan temple city of Chichen Itza, Rio de Janeiro's monolithic, Christ the Redeemer; China's Great Wall; and the Palace Tombs of Petra.

At Exceptional Parent magazine, we were intrigued and inspired by the New 7 Wonders undertaking, and it started us thinking. If we had to name the 7 Wonders of the World of Disabilities, what or who would they be? Would it be historical breakthroughs or would modern and still-developing wonders rise like cream to the top of the list? What events, inventions, legislation, people, groups, etc. have most significantly shaped, affected, or defined the world of disabilities?

During the past year, EP's editorial staff spent time talking with leaders in the disabilities field in narrowing down the list. Choosing just seven was the greatest challenge. Some "wonders" were chosen because they represent some of the earliest, most tangible vestiges of a concept or idea (oftentimes the precursor or path-paver for much of the technology and services on which we depend today) and others because of the promise they hold for future generations. The 7 Wonders of the World of Disabilities are presented as a group with no ranking. Do you have thoughts and comments about our top seven picks? Let us know by emailing to jhollingsworth@eparent.com.

Landmark Legislation

For those with disabilities, key federal legislation, much of which followed from the trail blazed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, has guaranteed various rights under the law--everything from the right to having accessible housing, public buildings, and voting booths, to a free and appropriate public education and the right to access technology that aids in daily living. Chosen as a member of of EP's 7 Wonders under the category of Landmark Legislation are the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), because of its sweeping guarantee of rights in so many aspects of the life of a person with disabilities and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) because of its far-reaching benefits for children with disabilities in receiving a "free and appropriate public education." (See Editor's Note below.) The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division provides the following information about each.

The Americans with Disabilities Act: "The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. It also applies to the United States Congress. To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered."

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush. The Act is divided into the following sections: Employment, Public Services (and public transportation), Public Accommodations (and Commercial Facilities), Telecommunications, and Miscellaneous Provisions. Noteworthy is the way that many disparate groups came together to promote the Act and see it through to passage. Also of interest is the fact that civil rights groups outside the disabilities community assisted in the effort toward passage.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: "The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (formerly called P.L. 94-142 or the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975) requires public schools to make available to all eligible children with disabilities a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their individual needs.

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"IDEA requires public school systems to develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IEP's) for each child. The specific special education and related services outlined in each IEP reflect the individualized needs of each student.

"IDEA also mandates that particular procedures be followed in the development of the IEP. Each student's IEP must be developed by a team of knowledgeable persons and must be at least reviewed annually. The team includes the child's teacher; the parents, subject to certain limited exceptions; the child, if determined appropriate; an agency representative who is qualified to provide or supervise the provision of special education; and other individuals at the parents' or agency's discretion."