PERSPECTIVES: ADA’s Impact in Our Readers’ Words

Chad Roberts, 22
Cherokee County

DSC00687Hi, I'm Chad. I am 22 and live with Autism. My entire life my mom and others have helped support me. I sometimes have trouble understanding things. I like being with other people who believe in me and know that I am smart. I don't talk a lot but I have a DynaVox, a  communication speech device, which I love. It helps me to communicate what I want and need, helps me make friends. I am happy to have a way to communicate with others. I hope I am helping to teach others that even people who don't talk a lot still have a lot to say. I hope I am teaching people that people who don't talk a lot can still work and have a good life. There were people who tried to tell my mom and me that I would never work. Those people were wrong. I am happy they were. I have four jobs. I like each job and do something different at all of them. I want to work more and hope I can soon. I also volunteer at our church and YMCA. I have my own ministry and help out the animal shelter. I have a lot of friends. I am happy living in my own home. It would be sad if I ever had to leave. It's not easy for me to make new friends in new places. My life would have been different if my mom would have believed the people who never thought I would or should work – or even if the ADA wasn't a law allowing me to have an opportunity to work. I am glad she knew better and always told me I was smart. And I am glad that with the ADA, I can work, volunteer and be a part of the community.

Jonathan Waters, 24
Atlanta

IMG 2602Because of the ADA, I have grown up with the same rights as everyone else even though I was diagnosed with Down syndrome. I have a great life. I've been able to live with my family and have a job in the community. I am able to spend some of my days at the Frazer Center where I have many friends. I also have many friends at my job in the community where I get paid a fair wage and I am able to save my money. I get to go to Chick-Fil-A and other places in the community without anyone telling me to leave, and people are always nice to me. I am so glad I get to work at Innotrac too. My friends and I get to sweep the floors of their big building every Thursday. The work is not too hard and I enjoy doing it. I like getting a paycheck. At Creative Enterprises, where I get to go during the week, I sometimes get to pack boxes full of trash bags. I definitely like this. Sometimes I put packs of coffee creamers in boxes too. I like my packing jobs at Creative. I also get to use computers at Creative Enterprises. Most of the time it is fun and I enjoy looking up things. I am definitely glad the ADA has allowed me to go to Creative Enterprises, the Frazer Center and to work some too. I really like being able to hang out with my friends and the staff too. I am very thankful for the ADA.

GCDD asked millennials, "What has been the law's greatest impact on your quality of life such as your expectations for access to opportunity, education, technology and employment?" Read their stories, and submit your own story

Want to see your ADA story in Making a Difference? Visit www.gcdd.org and tell us how the ADA's passage has impacted your life today. We look forward to reading your story! #ADAlegacy