Don’t miss this installment of Joni Eareckson Tada’s “Heart of the Founder” series, as she shares about her experience serving on the National Council on Disability, contributing to the drafting and passage of the groundbreaking 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. Hear Joni’s reflection on the power of the law compared to the power of the Gospel: while the law can change discriminatory structures, the Gospel is the only thing that can change hearts, bringing about culture change that provides true belonging for people living with disability.
Don’t miss this installment of Joni Eareckson Tada’s “Heart of the Founder” series, as she shares about her experience serving on the National Council on Disability, contributing to the drafting and passage of the groundbreaking 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act.
Hear Joni’s reflection on the power of the law compared to the power of the Gospel: while the law can change discriminatory structures, the Gospel is the only thing that can change hearts, bringing about culture change that provides true belonging for people living with disability.
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Crystal Keating:
This is the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast and I’m your host Crystal Keating. Each week we’re bringing you encouraging conversations about finding hope through hardship and practical ways that you can include people living with disability in your church and community. As you listen, visit joniandfriends.org/podcast to access the resources we mention, or to send me a message with your thoughts.
Stephanie Daniels:
Hi friends, I'm Stephanie Daniels, and I'm so glad you're joining us for another Heart of the Founder episode with our founder, Joni Eareckson Tada. It was Joni's diving accident in 1967 that placed her in a wheelchair. That was at a time when there was very little access for people using mobility equipment in the United States.
Back in the 70s, Joni and others living with disability weren't guaranteed a curb cut or a ramp to enter a building. Access was often only available through a side alley or a back door. Joni's even shared stories about getting stuck and navigating long, winding detours just to get into a restaurant, a store, or even church.
2024 marks the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA. This watershed legislation prohibited discrimination on the basis of disability. It also ensured that all individuals with disability would have access to public places. Dark alleys and back doors were replaced with wheelchair ramps and elevators.
And Joni helped develop that landmark regulation. But for all the progress that's been made through the ADA and other laws that protect the rights of people living with disability, no law can change hearts or provide true belonging. We know there's still work to be done. So let's listen to Joni's heart on the ADA and hear her insight about what can bring about true transformation.
Joni Eareckson Tada:
Years ago, I was so honored when President Ronald Reagan appointed me to become a member of the National Council on Disability. And one of the very first initiatives we worked on was a draft of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Oh my goodness, what a privilege to be part of that. Because for too long, Americans with disabilities had been dealing with barriers to jobs, transportation, and even places like theaters, restaurants, and museums.
But our council, we worked hard on that first draft of the ADA. On a breezy July day in 1990, we gathered with other advocates on the White House lawn to watch President George H. W. Bush to sign the ADA into law. I sat there in my wheelchair, dreaming of all the possibilities for people like me.
After the ceremony, our council hosted a reception during which our director, Paul Hearne, wheeled to the front to propose a toast. Paul, a seasoned advocate, had brittle bone disease and used a three-wheeled scooter, and when he turned to face our group, the room fell quiet. And I will never forget his words.
He considered his drink for a moment, and then said, “This is a wonderful day. This landmark civil rights legislation will open a great door of access to all Americans with disabilities. Discriminatory employment policies will soon be a thing of the past. And it'll mean that qualified people with disabilities will enjoy greater access to good jobs.
And this law will also set new standards for constructing buildings. It'll provide greater access to public accommodation. Wheelchair users will no longer have to be carried up the steps of a restaurant. And one day, buses across America will be outfitted with mechanical lifts. There'll be no barriers to public transportation.”
Paul then took a deep breath and proceeded, “But the ADA will not change the heart of the employer. This law will not change the heart of the maître d’ in the restaurant. It will not change the hearts of architects or people in the building industry. And this law will not change the heart of the bus driver.”
He then lifted his glass and he said, “Here's to changed hearts.” And tears overflowed my eyes as I realized that that's what God does. Christians have the message that'll change people's hearts. The government can't do it, neither can federal laws. Only Jesus Christ can transform hearts and attitudes. And it was, for me, a transforming moment, a follower of Jesus who had been called to serve him in the disability community.
The Americans with Disabilities Act could only become ingrained in American culture through the process of complaint and compliance. It's kind of like a mechanistic process. It forces, it forces the transformation of social institutions.
But it doesn't necessarily improve attitudes, or uproot prejudice or discrimination. Education and disability awareness may raise disability awareness, but even that only goes so far. It does not make a disadvantaged class of persons valued, or even celebrated.
But Christians, we've got the message that'll change people's hearts.
The government can't do it. Neither can federal laws. Only Jesus Christ can transform hearts and attitudes. And even so we can be thankful that over the last decades, many ADA mandates have been accomplished. We have come such a long way since the days when Paul Hearne and I, and millions like us, we had to wheel down back alleys past dumpsters to get into the back doors of restaurants and make our way to our table.
But today, I can just roll my wheelchair into a building with ease. My friend who is blind can walk into a museum with her service dog. Children with autism have access to special education programs. There is immense cause for celebration. And I'll tell you what, much remains to be done. Regulations and enforcements provide the impetus for change, but only the Gospel of Christ transforms the character of individuals and nations.
You know, they say that access is having a ramp to the table and mainstreaming is having a seat at the table. Inclusion is having a voice at the table. But true embrace, that's being heard at the table. We will only hear and embrace people with disabilities when character is transformed on a personal and on a national level.
Ephesians 2:14 declares, “For Christ himself is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” I envision a society and a church in which all people with disabilities are truly celebrated when the dividing wall comes down. And it happens when families that deal with disability are happily celebrated.
I encourage you to join Joni and Friends in celebrating the ADA by asking God to work in the heart of your church. Need help in making that happen? Well, Joni and Friends stands ready to assist with resources and training, because we envision a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. And who knows? It may well begin in your church.
Stephanie Daniels:
What a stirring message, Joni. We want to see hearts changed, and this transformation begins with us and in our own churches. Research shows that children with disabilities are up to three times more likely to be bullied than their peers. Adults with autism are more likely to report loneliness and social isolation.
Public schools have had to develop campaigns against the use of derogatory language against special education students. And up to 85% of churches don't have any level of special needs ministry. As Joni reminds us, we're called as followers of Christ to embrace those who are marginalized and in need of belonging.
We're called to welcome in each person with a disability so that God's house will be full. So where do we start? At joniandfriends.org/church, you'll find a number of practical tools to help you include people of all abilities in the life and ministry of your church.
From videos and downloadable resources to online courses and ministry training, we want to help every person with a disability find their place in the body of Christ. So, as we reflect on the impact of the ADA, let us also consider a higher law. May we be moved to see and happily celebrate every person as an image bearer of God.
Crystal Keating:
Thank you for listening today. For more episodes, find us wherever you get your podcasts and be sure to subscribe. We’d also love it if you would tell a friend. And for more encouragement, follow Joni and Friends on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube. And visit our website at joniandfriends.org/podcast. Thank you for listening to the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast.
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