I am writing about something important to freedom, privacy and our right to independence. We all know at least the basics of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It's supposed to make it possible for people in wheelchairs and walkers, among others, to get about independently as possible. In most cases I applaud the efforts. I wish I could shake the hand of the genius who came up with that button that opens doors. That was a stroke of pure genius!

Yet we have so far to go. Let's start with public bathrooms. The one at Kerr Drug in University Mall is supposedly accessible because it has a bar. But the stall is minuscule; there's barely room for an average human to enter, much less a wheelchair. Plus that toilet rocks violently. I've said something to the manager but to no avail. In Greensboro I encountered a hotel bathroom with an ample handicap stall but no bar to help with chair-to-toilet transfer. A friend of mine had to be lifted from chair to toilet. Fortunately we had a trusted friend who was strong enough to do this. Not everyone is so lucky. Not to mention going to the bathroom should be able to be a solo act.

I know space is limited but I have been places where the allotted handicap parking space blocks the ramp or curb cut, so you must choose between parking and actually getting into the building. Recently, a friend and one of her friends in their wheelchair exited a Mexican restaurant only to find somebody had parked in the second spot and he couldn't even get all the way down the ramp. They asked the restaurant to ask the owner of the vehicle to move it for just a few minutes, but the restaurant refused. They ended up stuck there until the car's owner left. I doubt they'll be eating there again.

Many stores want to make the most of their space, so they crowd racks of clothes and displays into the aisles. Sometimes I can't walk trough those stores without banging into overstuffed racks. By ADA law the aisles should have at least one yard clearance so that anyone may get through easily and comfortably. If I cannot get through, then how will a person with a walker or wheelchair manage? Is the extra display worth it if the store loses customers who can't get around in the aisles.

I applaud all the stores that make shopping a pleasant, accessible experience for all. I have a favorite in Build-A-Bear at Southpoint mall. When a person of special needs comes into their store they double their awareness yet let that person maintain their dignity by not automatically assuming that they cannot do something. They simply follow body language as well as verbal cues. This makes me and several of my friends with disabilities happy to return there on a regular basis.

I have a hearing impairment. Most of the time I wear very good hearing aids. Sometimes stormy weather keeps me from wearing them. Most waiters are quite willing to speak loudly, clearly and look right at me so even if I don't catch every word I get the big picture through body language and facial expression. This is really very considerate and helpful. It encourages me to be a repeat patron.

The freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness includes the right to shop, eat out, park safely and use public restrooms. This is called inclusion in the everyday world. Please, let's all be mindful of the fact that someday through aging we may all be people with disabilities and do our best to make sure that the ADA is followed for all people past, present and future.