By Maureen Zug

Thirty-four years ago on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. This historic civil rights law protects the rights of people with disabilities and affords them the dignity to take their place in our society according to their abilities. This was all accomplished by disabled activists themselves, along with their abled allies.

By way of explanation, this article that you are reading is not a celebration of curb cuts, workplace accommodations or designated seating on public transportation. It is a personal testimony…

Writing story is a challenge for me because it is personal. While I am certainly a cheerleader and active supporter for other groups represented by the Red Cross Team Resource Groups (TMRGs), it is not always easy for me to talk about my own disability.

Since I have a hereditary form of Muscular Dystrophy and I am a high fall risk, I work from home. Pretty much, I use a walker to keep myself upright. Over the years I have had numerous surgeries to replace worn-out joints, but this does not stop the deterioration overall. Other than falling, my disability does not threaten my life. I am not in any pain. My mind is 45 years old in an 80-year-old body.

Reasons to Celebrate Disability Pride

As a life-long volunteer, the Red Cross has welcomed me and accommodated my physical needs when other organizations turned me down as a volunteer with mobility issues. I never expected to receive the ongoing kindness and encouragement which I have received from everyone in this organization. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve!

Most dynamically, as a humanitarian institution, the American Red Cross continues to move forward in the following areas:

• The inclusion of neurodiverse volunteers.
• In partnership between Human Resources and the Ability Network Group, the auditing of policies to assure ADA compliance and workforce inclusion.
• The updating of job descriptions, where feasible, to encourage diversity and inclusion while serving the mission.
• Providing additional training to Red Crossers who support clients who may be differentially abled.
• Digital Access beginning with Emergency Applications, for those with differing abilities in sight, hearing, neurodiversity, et al.
• The establishment of Red Cross Peer Support Circles for differing abilities in January 2025 sponsored by the Ability Network.

So, although the ADA Anniversary gives us a lot to celebrate, it is really just a foundation to build out continuing support and enablement for the full participation of our family members, friends and neighbors. And I am proud to say, the American Red Cross is leading the way in the field of Disability Pride.