Did You Know? Honoring Disability Rights Through the Americans with Disabilities Act
At the Community Service Board of Middle Georgia (CSBMG), we are committed to advancing inclusion, equity, and full participation for individuals of all abilities. As we reflect on the significance of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we are reminded of the powerful grassroots efforts that led to one of the most transformative civil rights laws in U.S. history. A compelling documentary released in March 2025, Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act, sheds light on the decades-long struggle for accessibility and equality that culminated in the ADA’s passage in 1990.
The Fight for Access Was a Fight for Justice
Before the ADA, public spaces such as sidewalks, buses, government buildings, and schools were often completely inaccessible to people with disabilities. Ramps, curb cuts, and braille signage — things many now take for granted — were once nonexistent. Change, Not Charity brings to life the untold stories of advocates, many of them with disabilities themselves, who protested, organized, and mobilized across the country to demand equal rights and systemic change (PBS, 2025).
The film documents the emotional and physical toll of the movement. Individuals put their bodies on the line — literally crawling up the steps of the U.S. Capitol — to dramatize their exclusion from American life. Their determination catalyzed a bipartisan legislative victory that enshrined protections against discrimination in employment, transportation, and public accommodations (PBS, 2025).
Why It Still Matters
The ADA was never about charity. It was about civil rights — the right to participate fully in society, to work, to go to school, and to be seen and heard. The law shifted the conversation from pity to policy, making accessibility a legal requirement rather than a goodwill gesture. As Change, Not Charity reminds us, this landmark legislation did not emerge from the top down — it was won through grassroots organizing, coalition-building, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
At CSBMG, we are proud to uphold the spirit of the ADA by ensuring accessible facilities, providing individualized support services, and partnering with community stakeholders to reduce barriers for people living with physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities.
A Legacy of Progress — and a Call to Action
While the ADA has led to undeniable progress, Change, Not Charity also challenges us to acknowledge that the work is not finished. Many individuals with disabilities still face exclusion, especially in rural and underserved areas. CSBMG remains committed to advocating for policies and practices that promote true inclusion — not just physical access, but full community participation.
We encourage staff, stakeholders, and community members to view the Americans with Disabilities Act as both a history lesson and a call to action. It is a reminder of how far we’ve come — and how far we must still go to ensure equal rights and dignity for all.
Reference
PBS. (2025, March 25). Change, not charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act [Film]. https://www.pbs.org/