Celebrating successes on National Disability Independence Day

National Disability Independence Day is held each year on July 26, marking the anniversary of the date that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. The ADA, a landmark civil rights law, was passed in 1990.

Wondering why the ADA has a holiday all its own? Our West Jefferson Medical Center team shares some insight below.

Marking the occasion

Prior to the signing of the ADA in 1990, individuals with disabilities weren’t protected from discrimination. Businesses could refuse to provide accommodations that would allow those with disabilities to work, and businesses and other organizations didn’t need to provide public accommodation such as wheelchair ramps.

With the passage of the ADA, that largely changed. Discriminating against people with disabilities is prohibited, both in the workplace and in daily life. The law, which was passed with bipartisan support, prohibits discrimination on the basis of a person’s disability, ensuring access to economic and civic opportunities.

In the 33 years since the ADA became law, many gains have been made. Structural enhancements to help those with disabilities access buildings, including wheelchair ramps, elevators and lever-operated door mechanisms, have become commonplace.

Children and adults in school can have specialized accommodations specific to their needs, such as sign language interpreters or large-print books. Employers are now required to provide reasonable accommodations to allow those with disabilities to do meaningful work.

While there’s still ample room for improvement and additional accommodation, these changes alone have made it more possible for those with disabilities to live independently.

Helping stroke patients regain independence

People experience disabilities for many different reasons. In some cases, those disabilities have been present since birth, while in others, they develop due to a medical condition or an accident later in life.

That’s the case with stroke. Stroke is a leading cause of death among Americans, and it’s also a leading cause of disability. About 795,000 Americans experience a stroke in any given year, with many left with either temporary or permanent disabilities.

Immediate treatment for a stroke depends on whether it’s an ischemic stroke, caused by a blood clot, or a hemorrhagic stroke, caused by a brain bleed. Once lifesaving treatment is provided, treatment moves toward recovering abilities through intensive rehabilitation.

This rehabilitation typically begins in the hospital setting, with some patients moving to a skilled nursing facility for additional therapy and some patients continuing to receive rehabilitation in an outpatient setting.

Rehabilitation plays a key role in helping stroke patients recover abilities and independence in the days, weeks and months after a stroke. Each patient’s rehabilitation plan is individualized, based on the specific deficits he or she is facing. Depending on those needs, patients may receive physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy—or most often, a combination of all three.

Physical therapy is used to help patients recover or improve physical abilities, such as mobility, balance or gait. Speech therapy provides patients with assistance in both communicating and swallowing, which are often impacted by a stroke.

Occupational therapy can play a particularly important role in helping patients regain independence after a stroke. Specialized techniques and tools are used to restore patients’ ability to perform activities of daily living, such as eating and preparing simple meals, getting dressed, bathing and performing personal hygiene tasks, and writing.

Occupational therapists can also help promote independence in other ways. This can include helping patients learn to use adaptive devices such as a cane, evaluating the home environment to remove tripping hazards and preparing patients to return to work or school.

With the help of rehabilitation, many stroke patients can return to living independent and healthy lives, supported by the ADA and other laws.

When a stroke strikes, the care you need is close to home. Learn more about the Comprehensive Stroke Center at West Jefferson Medical Center.