This year the ADA, which was designed to give equal access to the disabled, turns 30. Yet still, we live in a segregated society. As a person with a disability, where I live is not decided by my choice as an American but instead by the state and federal government when they decide which communities […]
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The ADA, Parenthood, and Empowerment
When I wrote about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) a few years ago in a piece titled, Reflections on #ADA27, here for Disabled Parenting Project (DPP), I largely focused on my daughter and inclusion. As I reflect on it today for #ADA30, not much has changed, and yet so much has changed all at […]
Growing up with the ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act was- and is- a revolutionary piece of legislation. It has impacted my life and the lives of others since its inception. I barely remember what life was like before the ADA, which was signed the year I turned eight. I recently had the opportunity to watch Crip Camp, and it […]
Missing my Daughter: Reflections from a Disabled Dad During the Coronavirus
My thirteen-year-old daughter is sick. Cough, fever, and the rest. By now we all know the symptoms. COVID- 19? Who knows? There are no testing kits. What I do know is that I have to be especially careful as a high-risk person with cerebral palsy, asthma, and chronic bronchitis. So, I assume it’s everywhere – […]
Remembering Carrie Ann Lucas
In the history of our disability rights movement, there have been many lives who changed our lives through the lessons of their personal story, and the power of their advocacy. The non-disabled world knows little to nothing about the unsung heroes of our movement, the ones to whom we owe our healthcare rights, our parental rights, […]
DPP Remembers Carrie Ann Lucas
One year ago today, the world lost Carrie Ann Lucas. She was a disabled mother, activist, attorney, and dear friend of the Disabled Parenting Project. On the one year anniversary of her death, DPP co-founders Erin, Kara, and Robyn share their reflections. Erin’s Reflections I remember Carrie Ann’s photography. She had an eye for beauty […]
Teachable Moments
As a parent with a disability, I firmly believe in teachable moments, learning experiences, and the like. The parenting experience has definitely been one of self-awareness, joy, tears, and yes, even pain. It is impossible for my son to pretend I fit into the societal expectations of what a mom should be because the cards […]
The Truth About the 100th Day of School
DISCLAIMER: I am not judging any of my fellow parents or their kiddos for participating in this, but I do hope my perspective will challenge you to think carefully about whether and how you decide to do so. I know that there is no ill intent, and that this is something meant to be fun and […]
The Place That Will Make You Actually Want to Take Your Kids to a Waterpark This Summer
Last June, I reviewed Morgan’s Wonderland, an “ultra-accessible” playground/theme park. I promised I’d visit the separate water park there, and we went in August 2019. I figured the middle of winter is as good a time as any to write about the experience! I’ll start by saying that I hate, absolutely hate and abhor the […]
How I Taught my Kids to Ride a Bike from a Wheelchair
Currently, my children are ages four (4) and eight (8); they are both non-disabled. It is important to me that they have a physically active lifestyle, even though I am in a wheelchair and limited in the range of activities that I can do. When my son was a toddler, I wanted him to be able […]