ADA stands for 'independence'

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

COEUR d'ALENE — Destiny Watkins celebrates strides made to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act, but she also sees how much work needs to be done.

Watkins, wheelchair-bound for the past four years from a neurological disorder called dystonia, was among more than 100 people who attended a 29th anniversary celebration of the ADA on Friday at Riverstone Park organized by the Disability Action Center.

“We’ve come a long way with the ADA, but we’ve also got a long way to go” the Post Falls woman said.

She said the city of Post Falls, for example, has stepped up to make ADA improvements such as curbing that can be accessed by those with disabilities. The Citylink public transit system has also made adjustments for riders.

"Having the ADA behind me is the only way I’m able to live independently," she said.

Watkins said she's also thankful for the nonprofit Disability Action Center for educating her on what rights she has and pointing her toward resources.

"The Disability Action Center is like my family," she said. "I don’t have many friends who understand my situation, but the center does both emotionally and physically."

However, there are still plenty of hurdles awaiting when it comes to ADA compliance, Watkins said.

"Housing is the biggest issue," she said. "I still don't live in an ADA unit. I've had to go to court to say, 'These are my rights.' Getting my voice heard is a big deal."

Watkins said some housing companies prefer not to rent to those with disabilities because of liability concerns.

She thinks the hotel industry also has work to do to comply with the ADA.

Bev Gadberry, an independent living advocate for the action center, said the ADA rules are "fabulous," but action toward them can be improved.

"There needs to be more awareness in the community and with businesses," she said. "There's a misconception that the ADA is out to get you if you don't go by the rules. The laws only get sticky if you don't adhere to what they're saying. Some businesses believe it's out to get them, but it's not."

The center offers a relatively new program called Blue Path in which representatives perform a free assessment on how companies are complying with the ADA.

"We don't report anything," said Bonnie Pilcher, an independent living advocate with the center. "We just let businesses know how they can be more accessible to get ahead of the game."

Assessments can be arranged by calling 208-457-3891.

"We're a tourist community," Pilcher said. "It would be a bummer to come here on a nice vacation only to find out you can't get to a bathroom."

The celebration drew 13 vendors partnering with the action center to provide resources to people in need.

"We connect people with resources so that they can maintain themselves out of institutional care and in their homes," said Sherri Boelter, an independent living advocate at the center.