Rock Creek Senior Living Provides for Disability Independence

July 26^th is National Disability Independence Day, which commemorates the signing of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which happened on July 26, 1990. The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications, and access to state and local government programs and services.

ADA compliance means the appropriate and reasonable accommodations are in place for disabled persons. This includes things like large print, interpreters, wheelchair ramps, and allowing service animals.

Statistically, there are over 54 million Americans with a form of disability. When that number is broken down, that’s about 19 percent, or one in every five, Americans. As the population grows and ages, this number will only increase, making these regulations increasingly more important.

As the Plant Operations Director at Rock Creek Senior Living, an ADA-compliant community that serves several individuals with disabilities, I work every day to keep our building accessible and safe.

Accessibility for everyone is essential in everyday life. It is important to make sure that we are providing the required ADA-compliant items, so that all our visitors and residents can not only function but feel welcomed and part of our growing community. No one should be made to feel like they are inadequate or a burden.

We provide necessary ramps outside, so visitors and residents with disabilities can come and enter our community easily with or without help. Inside we provide elevators, so anyone can access the second level without having to climb stairs to get there. We offer some of our apartments with ADA-compliant restrooms and kitchenettes, so they do not have to struggle in their own space. 

Weekly, we check to make sure that all doors are functioning properly with the required handicap switches. All keypads in the building are installed at the required height for someone confined to a wheelchair. We also check transition strips daily to make sure there are no trip hazards from room to room. We walk to make sure there is clearance in the halls, dining room and restrooms, so that anyone with a disability will not have problems navigating throughout our community.  

At home, I have provided a ramp on my back deck for some of my family members and friends that come to visit that are confined to a wheelchair. Inside I make sure that all clutter is picked up and that I have at least 36 inches of clearance in all areas, so my friends will not get stuck moving around my home.

Our goal in everything we do is to continue providing the best possible accessibility opportunities to everyone within our community.