I was 18 and just a few days from starting my first year of college when I dove from our family’s cabin cruiser into shallow water and broke my neck.  I became paralyzed from the chest down and in that instant my life and the lives of my family changed forever. It was 10 years before the Americans with Disabilities Act and after spending nearly 7 months in a rehab hospital, I quickly realized the world was not built for people like me.  I got involved with organizations such as Access Wilmington at the city level, then worked with elected officials at the state level, and eventually at a Federal level, and then on the international stage to help foster an inclusive and more accessible world for all.

It took years to get passed, but thanks to the work and perseverance of people like friend and mentor, former Congressman Tony Coelho, the Americans with Disabilities Act – a landmark civil rights law – was enacted in 1990 in the United States. It aims to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination and ensure equal access to employment opportunities, public accommodations, transportation, and other aspects of daily life. While the ADA has brought about significant improvements in accessibility and inclusivity, some argue that there are still areas where it falls short or needs updating.

Here are a few reasons why people may call for amendments to the ADA: