We are all aware of what happened in America this week. I’m not going to rehash the events. I believe that they are still fresh in our minds and that they will be burned in our memory forever. From all that I have heard and what I believe, life as we knew it on Monday September 10, 2001 has changed.

Gone is the security that we Americans have taken for granted for so long. Gone are many freedoms that we will have to relinquish for our safety. America must refocus its energy, finances, will and tremendous fortitude in defeating the enemy.

I would like to say that my heart and all our hearts at disABLEDperson.com go out to all the victims, their families and loved ones. Our prayers are with you. Our prayers are also with our government leaders as they make decisions that will affect everyone in the world. God be with them.

Congress is putting it’s OK on an additions 20 billion dollars federally so that we can begin to combat terrorism. That money is for the remainder of this fiscal year only. Partisan issues currently are not relevant. Democrats and Republicans are both focused on preserving freedom and our way of life. I believe rightfully so, don’t you? I’m sure you do.

This war on terrorism is going to cost a fortune. Most experts that have been interviewed have said that to defeat this enemy, that America needs to commit long term. That means that America needs to commit billions and billions of dollars to this. We can’t simply make money; we have to shift it around.

Not to sound like an alarmist but I believe that this is a very important time for the disability community. I believe that we all need to ban together more than ever. Numbers and only numbers along with advocacy and activism will keep our civil rights intact.

Lets take a look at how this terrorist attack affects our community. The first and obvious affect is transportation. Disabled individuals traveling on commercial airlines are not going to be immune from long lines. We like everyone else must get to the airport some estimates say 2-3 hours on domestic flights and 3-4 hours on international flights. Although necessary for our safety, we must rethink our travel and develop a new plan so that it goes as smooth as possible for us. Remember travel has changed for everyone and especially for our community.

Although I have nothing factual to base my opinion on, I believe that cuts are going to have to be made in some areas and the money reallocated to defense. Where are these cuts going to be made? I don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows at this point.

I’m writing this to try to rally our community. Why? Because the ADA has been under attack this last year or so. Since it was passed, there have been some that have been trying get rid of it. Why have they been trying to get rid of it? It is for no other reason than money. That is right. The ADA costs money if it is to be properly enforced and implemented. Money that many people in the United States did not want to spend prior to September 11, 2001. I believe that many will look at the ADA now with an even more jaundiced eye.

Unless we all come together and voice our opinion and become advocates now, I believe our rights will start to slowly erode away. I believe that there will be more support in Congress for bills like The ADA Notification Act. Any bill that will decrease federal spending, I believe will have a great chance of passing.

What should we do about it? The answer is to become involved. Remember things are different. Everyone is going to have to become proactive in our community. We can’t simply sit back anymore and let others get involved. Each of us needs to get involved.

Diana Malfa-owner/publisher