31 Years of the ADA: Ever-expanding efforts to eliminate discrimination and foster inclusion
Thirty-one years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. The ADA was designed to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities – including in education, transportation, and employment. People first started noticing the effects of the law with physical changes – curb cuts, handicap ramps on busses, accessible buildings, etc. In the years since, much more has been done to promote inclusion.
After nearly forty-eight years at the 
Those of us who are parents assume that we will be our childrens’ hero- and we are, MOST of the time. But when we become parents to an individual with Williams syndrome, the potential for our role as heroes changes dramatically... and not just in regard to our son or daughter. Throughout our journey with a child with Williams, we will both be heroes and receive the benefits of many heroic acts.
When our son or daughter is born we immediately want everyone – especially our immediate and extended family to share in our joy. But what happens when sometime in the future – perhaps within days, but more likely months, or even years down the road, we learn that our son or daughter is challenged in some way – medically, developmentally or in the case of those with Williams syndrome, medically AND developmentally.