My ADA Story: Rising Amongst All Challenges

By Tanika Palmer

Hello! My name is Tanika Palmer, and I am individual who has a developmental disability, a speech disability, arthritis and depression. I am really grateful to People First in Charlotte, North Carolina and to People First in Atlanta, Georgia. I took an ADA training from Karen Hamilton after Laura Newell, the founder of the Self Advocates of Mecklenburg, introduced me to Karen. This ADA training helped me learn about my personal civil rights as a citizen, which is important because I face challenges with articulating some words or with information that is provided. 

For example, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required to comply with the ADA and helped me by reading test questions out loud for me to be able to obtain my driver’s license.

There are many laws, including the ADA, that companies employing people with disabilities need to comply with. The ADA helped me to get Vocational Rehabilitation services since it requires state government programs to be accessible to people with disabilities.

Because I have arthritis, accessible sidewalks and crosswalks help me access my city. My son, Isaiah, who is 18, has a speech and learning disability, and accessible crosswalk signals tell him when he can cross the street safely. I want other parents to know that the ADA allows young adults with disabilities to transition into the real world.

I am glad that are organizations around the world such as Disability Rights & Resources in Charlotte and also First in Families of North Carolina that offer some support services for people in the community who may or may not have natural supports or families to assist them. They help us advocate about and for the ADA.

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the ADA

Read all the stories here or share your own ADA story.