According to a 2015 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 53 million U.S. citizens live with a disability. That equates to one in five Americans. Importantly, these Americans should be neither defined by their disability nor prohibited by it. The job market, healthcare system, and general infrastructure of society must be oriented to serve people will all types of disabilities. The desire to dispel marginalization is the driving motivation for many disability attorneys. They dedicate their lives to advocating for the progress of human rights and promoting equality in every realm. Brandon L. Lettunich of the Lettunich Law Firm protects disability rights. 

The Journey Toward Disability Rights

The disability rights movement is a global movement that fights to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all people with disabilities. The United States, specifically, has made great strides of progress in the area of disability rights since the early 20th century. After World War I, war veterans who returned home with disabilities understandably expected the U.S. government to provide assistance as they recovered from their time in service. This expectation increased after World War II. The U.S. government responded by implementing rehabilitation programs and investing into the development of technology that would help people with disabilities overcome obstacles.

In the 1960s, disability advocates joined the voice of the civil rights movement. They demanded equal treatment and equal opportunity for people with disabilities. Now, the goal was not simply to receive assistance from the government. It was also to tear down social and physical barriers and  to dispel negative attitudes that prevailed in society.  This ultimately led to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This act prohibited discrimination on the basis of either physical or mental disability.

In 1990, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) improved the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It ensured that people with disabilities have equal access to private and government funded facilities, transportation, and employment. Disability attorneys came into the picture and served as agents of enforcement, working to make sure that these laws were applied appropriately and that people with disabilities were fairly and adequately represented.

Continuing to Fight for Progress

While the ADA was positively and significantly impacted the disability rights movement, there is still great progress to be made. According to 2015 data produced by the U.S. department of labor, the employment-population ratio for persons with a disability was 17.5 percent. This was a huge difference compared to the opposite ratio. The employment-population ratio for those without a disability was 65 percent. Moreover, the unemployment rate for persons with a disability was about twice that of those with no disability. There are several factors that play into this data. However, we must continue to take these statistics into account as we evaluate how human rights progress.

How Disability Attorneys Can Help

Stereotypes, social barriers, and physical hurdles still exist for people with disabilities. We must continue to labor to see the ADA come into full effect in every area of American society. Disability attorneys aids in this work by supporting people as they make SSI disability claims. While the process can be complicated, attorneys know that having the correct paperwork and adequate medical evidence are the keys to winning a claim. If you are in need of legal counsel and support regarding disabilities, consider contacting Brandon L. Lettunich, Attorney at Law.