What Should Syracuse Dot Com Cover?

As a subscriber to the paper (the Sunday paper only) and a daily reader of the local online news at Syracuse.com, I recently received a February 7, 2020 "Letter From The Editor" written by Trish LaMonte--the Editor and VP for content of the paper. (excuse me for being so dead tree-centric but I generally refer …

Free Our People–The 20th Anniversary of the Olmstead Decision

Freedom isn't free. We hear this phrase a lot and it certainly rings true for people with disabilities, since our freedom has come quite recently—and is not quite complete. This week we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Olmstead v L.C., (527 U.S. 581), a U.S. Supreme Court decision written by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. …

Nothing About Us, Without Us–Even If We’re the Victim Of A Purge

The recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute was a terrible setback to people with disabilities and our efforts to make sure that the disability community’s right to vote is protected. The Supreme Court’s support for the state of Ohio’s method of purging voters from …

I Think It’s Going To Work Out Fine

  One of the best things about growing older is the sense of acceptance that you (hopefully) grow into. The concept of "don't sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff" makes a whole lot more sense to me in my fifties than it did in my twenties. Yes, I'm still anxious a lot …

Back to school

It’s the beginning of September—families are pulling together the binders, backpacks and pencils their children will need to go back to school. At the same time, students with disabilities and their parents will be celebrating two recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that will be incredibly helpful in advancing the rights of the disabled in the …

“Would you like a Coke with that accessibility?”

Cases before the Supreme Court often result in widespread changes to our society. Issues such as school segregation, abortion and the right to bear arms have all been the subject of famous landmark decisions. But whether the case is well known or obscure, all Supreme Court decisions have one thing in common — they started because an …

25 Reasons To Celebrate The 25th Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act

25. Lifts on all Centro buses make it possible for passengers with disabilities to take public transit. (scroll to pages 6 and 7) 24. Closed caption glasses at Regal Cinemas allow deaf movie goers to enjoy watching movies in theaters. 23. Newly constructed buildings open to the public must be made accessible and the existing …

Owning My Disability

"I am a person with a disability." I believe that this is the first time I have ever written this sentence. I just finished a post explaining the Americans with Disabilities Act--and realized that it was littered with personal possessives: "we" "our people" "us" "our." I have been organizing for disability rights for a little less …