July 26 is ADA34 Day

Thirty-four years ago on July 26, 1990, President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. This historic document not only guarantees the rights of Americans with disabilities, but has served as a model for disability civil rights legislation in nations around the globe. There are five sections, or Titles, in the law.

Title I of the ADA legislation protects persons with disabilities in the employment practices of private employers with 15 or more employees, state and local governments, employment agencies, labor unions, and other employers. Title II offers protection in the programs and activities of state and local government. Title III applies to private entities that are considered places of public accommodation. Title IV requires telecommunications companies (phone and internet) to provide relay services for hearing and speech impaired individuals. It also requires closed captioning of federally funded public service announcements. Title V contains miscellaneous provisions addressing, for example, the impact on insurance providers and a prohibition against coercion and retaliation. Title V also lists certain conditions that are not considered as disabilities.

What can you do to celebrate ADA34 Day. First, and perhaps most important, learn about the rights and responsibilities set forth in this document. A good overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act is here: https://adata.org/factsheet/ADA-overview

The ADA National Network has provided a Toolkit for ADA34 Day. It includes tweets and other ways to share the anniversary with your social media contacts. Find the ADA34 Toolkit here: https://adaanniversary.org/

Nutrition Tip - What’s the Leanest Meat?

Getting adequate protein without too much fat is important. Get the leanest cuts of meat. White meat chicken and turkey breasts without skin are a good choice. The leanest beef cuts are chuck, round, sirloin, and tenderloin. Leaner pork cuts include loin chops and tenderloin. Portion size is also important. One serving of meat or poultry is 3 ounces. That is about the size of a deck of cards.

Are Mocktails Good for You?

It’s always a good idea to cut down on alcohol consumption, or quit drinking alcohol entirely. As little as one drink a day can increase your risk of developing certain cancers or dying of some types of heart disease.

Many adult social gatherings involve alcohol. If you don’t want to drink, or want to drink less, you may have considered imbibing a mocktail.

What are some of the good points about drinking mocktails?

• They are hydrating, not dehydrating like their alcoholic cousins. You won’t get hung over.

• They are less expensive than alcoholic drinks.

• You can drink mocktails if you’re taking certain medications for which alcohol is contraindicated, or if you are pregnant.

• You’re still drinking with your buddies, so it doesn’t call attention to your non-alcohol habit.

Are there any reasons not to drink mocktails?

• Diabetics should be aware of the potentially high sugar content of some mocktails.

• Grapefruit juice in certain mocktails will cause problems for people taking blood thinners or statins.

• People in recovery from alcoholism should not drink nonalcoholic beer. Certain brands contain small amounts of alcohol.

And what about all the calories in mocktails? While certain mocktail recipes are high in calories, if you drink sparkling water or club soda which has zero calories, you can add a slice of fruit and still not feel caloric guilt.

Want to learn more about mocktails?

Popular mocktails: https://www.barschool.net/blog/mocktails-to-order-at-a-bar

Disney mocktails: https://www.frommers.com/slideshows/848494-make-the-delicious-drinks-cocktails-and-mocktails-from-disney-s-u-s-parks

Fruity mocktails: https://mindfulmocktail.com/mocktail-recipes/fruity-mocktails/

Accessibility Features at US Airports

Both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) require specific assistance be provided at American airports for persons with disabilities. The Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights describes the fundamental rights of air travelers. These rights apply to all flights of all US airlines, and to flights originating at or ending in the US by foreign airlines. Here’s how to access that assistance.

First, when you make your reservations early, advise the airlines of the type of assistance you will need. Will you need someone to guide you to the gate, or someone to push your manual wheelchair, or will you be using your power wheelchair which must be gate-checked? Remember to call and confirm your accessibility needs before you leave for the airport.

When you arrive at the airport, identify yourself to an airline staff member as a person with a disability who has pre-booked specific assistance. You should be provided assistive services that address your needs. If you are traveling with your motorized wheelchair, be aware that each airline has its own procedures for storage of such wheelchairs and wet-cell batteries.

To express your gratitude for assistance, it is polite to tip the airport accessibility assistant. They are often low-paid workers, and a small tip is usually appreciated. Their job is usually considered a tip-wage position by their employer, which allows them to be paid below the minimum wage.

Some of the rights passengers with disabilities have, in addition to assistance through the airport check-in and boarding process, include accessible airport facilities, priority aircraft boarding, assistance in getting to the onboard lavatory, and the right to travel with assistive devices and service dogs. Airline staff must have had training on how to properly assist a person with a disability.

What if you’re not disabled, but would find the long hike between check-in and boarding too strenuous? Can you request wheelchair assistance? Yes, you can, but the airlines may choose to transport you on a cart instead of in a wheelchair.

Have a safe trip and remember to book your accessibility needs well in advance of departure.