In commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Bethlehem held a panel discussion July 26 at the Bethlehem Area Public Library’s Main Branch on Church Street, across Payrow Plaza from city hall. Following the discussion, a disability flag was raised on the Plaza.

Mayor William Reynolds opened the discussion panel. He spoke of his experience as a teacher. “I would not have a student with vision issues sit in the back of the classroom.”

The discussion panel’s members were from a diverse pool of talent, including advocates, authors, artists. The members were: Sarah Burcaw, Shane Burcaw and Hannah Burcaw (attended online) from Laughing at my Nightmare, Inc. Shane and Hannah are married, and have a YouTube channel, Squirmy and Grubs, about their life as a couple, one of whom is disabled. Brenda Solitario represented the BASD. Michael Freeman, of Michael Freeman Painting, is a legally blind artist whose work has texture and dimension. Rain Black and Robin Gow, from Queer & Trans Lehigh Valley. Colleen Dorsey, owner of Bitty and Beaus Coffee. Ashley Patate, from the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living. City of Bethlehem Director of Equity and Inclusion Janine Carambot Santoro was the facilitator.

Shane said he, “discovered that writing allows me to reach more people.”

Hannah struggles with ableism. Oxford languages defines ableism as “discrimination in favor of able-bodied people.” Hannah recalled “people praying over Shane in a public diner.” She has heard “people saying our relationship is fake.” Hannah says “our work is to teach the truth.”

Patate spoke about common physical barriers disabled people encounter. “Barriers including curbs and stairs are a problem in historic buildings.” She added, “Parking is a major issue. So is accessible transportation.”

For example, a new handicapped accessible van costs close to $100,000 and up. Another barrier is “a lack of affordable accessible housing,” and general “negative perceptions” of disabled people. She said her organization “focuses on what can be changed through problem solving.”

Brenda, from BASD, talked about IDEA, the Individuls with Disabilities in Education Act, and 504 plans, which offer accommodations in classroom situations. “The ADA mandates modifications for both in-school and after-school activities.” She said, “My own Aunt Doris was not able to attend school “ She said other modifications are “suggested by parents coming to us, or just noticing there is a ramp in a school is not accessible to the school buses.”

Robin noted that being trans and autism are “invisible disabilities. Society is ableist. It is OK for people to walk around a room and make noise. Kids can be advocates for their classmates.”

Rain is “an indigenous author, with ADHD and autism. Racism and colorism is another barrier. You can’t break a person into smaller pieces. ADHD translates to ‘a person in their own time.’ Everybody has a place in society together.”

Still, Colleen noted that 80 percent of people with disabilities are unemployed. “With 18 employees (at Bitty &Beaus) it’s really hard to influence that overall percentage. We put our employees in forward facing roles, and we train and create an environment where they can be successful. Being seen creates an environment where others can feel welcome.” She would like “other employers to come in and see.”

Michael said, “It’s important for me to create artwork the visually impaired can touch. I was born with tunnel vision. Like a horse with blinders on, I have no peripheral vision.” He noted that “In 1973, there was no understanding of differences in disabilities. Everyone went to Special Ed. Doing art, I’m not thinking about my disabilities, I am thinking how do I help others?” He has also faced “stigma in restaurants, and schools.”

Shane pointed out that “even after the passage of ADA, so often, I couldn’t access areas in college, including the disabilities office. Flying is dangerous. People are shocked to learn about systemic access issues. There is an assumption that disabled people are provided for. Yet there are barriers to insurance and public assistance.”

Hannah marveled that “people assume we are the only inter-able couple.” The couple’s book, “Interabled, a True Stories of Love and Disability,” features several interabled love stories.

Ashley said, “People are more than their disability.”

Brenda advocated for “walking partners, kids who will walk with the kids who walk alone on the playground.” She said “Freedom HS has a coffee shop (run by life skills students), and students get to visit places in the community.

Robin said, “a lot of times, people try to speak for us. That is ableist. There are a wide range of abilities (in people with disabilities). Disabled people made the ADA happen. They crawled up the Capital steps. People put their bodies on the line for us.”

Rain said, “I would like to see the community being served and included. There are things you don’t think of because they are not in your experience. There is a need for hygiene, laundry detergent, makeup. How to access health care if you do not have insurance. We don’t want anybody to be abandoned.”

Colleen said, “Often workplaces don’t make changes. Dorothy, in our coffee shop, watching neurotypical and ‘normal’ working together. Hiring might be difficult or costly. Training is needed. Sometimes people think you need to be a program or a nonprofit. We are a for profit company. People may not see disabilities.”

Michael said, “Everybody has a disability. It could be race, culture or mental health. Art Therapy to help people understand, find a way to get through to understanding.

Robin said, “Access to health care for the disabled is a matter of life and death.”

Rain said, “it’s also a Queer or Trans issue, negative health outcomes. The government will not save us, it is our job to take care of each other. Learn from history, accommodations and programs can be adapted to be modern.”

Brenda said, “Independent Living is under Medicaid. There goes a person’s dignity. “ She added, “the school district is a payer of last resort if services are denied to school age children.”

Sarah Burcaw, cofounder of Laughing at My Nightmare Inc,, talked about the cost of access to ramps or vans. She said, “ADA access is still uneven, too many are still waiting for college and employment. Advocacy can start at your kitchen table, classroom or workplace.”

In the rear of the room, advocates and agencies, including the United Way of the Lehigh Valley, Lehigh University Art Galleries, S.E.E.N. (Spellers Empowering Education for Nonspeakers) and the Bethlehem Human Relations Commision, had tables. Michael Freeman’s art was on display, and the library had books by Robin Gow and by Shane and Hannah Burcaw for borrowing.

Following the panel discussion, many of the guests and panelists moved to Payrow Plaza, where workers from Bitty and Beau’s raised a colorful disabilities flag.

Carmen Bell, from the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, said, “people should be able to age successfully and thrive. ”

Alise Shaffer, of Lehigh Art Galleries, said, “A quarter of the population is disabled. It is the only minority anyone can join at any time.”

Jake Pooley’s mother played a recording of his words, describing his experiences as a non verbal teen with autism.

Janine Carambot Santoro, the City of Bethlehem Director of Equity and Inclusion, explained the colors on the flag: Red for physical disabilities. Gold for neurological disabilities. White for invisible and undiagnosed disabilities. Blue for emotional and psychiatric disabilities. Green for sensory issues, deafness and blindness. The background represents ableism. The diagonal stripe is cutting barriers.

It is clear from the discussion that even 35 years after the passage of the ADA, there is still much work to be done to make the world more friendly and safe for those with disabilities.