2025 marks the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a game changer according to a local advocate.
Jeremy Fleenor serves as Regional Manager for Access Academy, an organization that assists students with disabilities. Fleenor said the law is by far the most significant piece of federal legislation ever created for those with disabilities.
“I can’t imagine that there has been anything that’s been done that has made more of a difference as far as leveling the playing field,” Fleenor said. “Just decreasing the amount of discrimination, allowing people to fight back whenever they are being discriminated against has made a massive difference for those who are dealing with different disabilities and medical challenges.”
Fleenor said the act kept those with disabilities from falling through the cracks in our society.
“You don’t want people who don’t feel like they have a purpose and who are just existing,” Fleenor said. “And that is what our program strives so hard for, is to help those with disabilities to find employment, working with kids in the schools to help them realize that employment is possible for them.”
Fleenor said the act has allowed families to remain in the workforce instead of having to stay home and care for their loved one. Fleenor said the one thing the Upper Cumberland can do to help a person with a disability is allow them to work in their business. In most cases, Fleenor said, the accommodations are minimal.
“Once you get an employer on board and they start understanding that as long as well can have some accommodations, many, many people can work and be incredible employees. They show up, they do a great job.”
The Americans With Disabilities Act became law in July of 1990 under President George H.W. Bush.
