One day, my little brother Tim asked me to take him with me to the library. It was a warm summer day in 1964 or 1965. The Fairfield Branch Library was still a library, about eight blocks from our apartment on Woodward near Robie. I said, "Sure."

When we arrived, I realized that the steps were steeper than I had remembered. But there was no other way to get him in. I started pulling his wheelchair up the steps, backwards, one steep step at a time. Suddenly, my 10-year-old arms weakened, I lost my footing, and my brother, the wheelchair and I all tumbled down the steps, crashing in a bloody heap on the cement below. We never made it in to the library. Instead, I pushed him all the way to Sister's Hospital, in the street, because it was faster than bumping his chair over the curbs at every intersection.

Sadly, Tim died of complications from muscular dystrophy in 1974, long before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990. We take for granted today the many ramps, curb cuts, and elevators that now grace our public spaces, sometimes begrudging handicap parking spaces and often enjoying the ample, wheelchair-accessible cubicle in restrooms when no one is looking. But it's only been 26 years since we finally guaranteed access to folks who have physical disabilities.

I am thankful for the ADA every day, but this Sunday we can all celebrate this life-changing legislation at the Disability Pride Parade and Celebration, a fun family-friendly event in Delaware Park. Buffy will be in the Parade, of course, and Citybration will be part of the festivities. Please join us!

Given my back story, it should come as no surprise that events listed on BuffaloVibe.com indicate if an event is wheelchair accessible. In fact, it may be the only event-centric website that includes this critical parameter. Hey, Buffy is on wheels; if she can't get in, neither can a wheelchair! And that would also prevent many of our volunteers from Aspire Technology Today from entering and participating in events. Not fair. No longer. Yay ADA!

In fact, the removal of environmental barriers and access infrastructure that has been systematically built over the past 26 years is now paving the way to a whole new  proactive perception of access - universal access. It has freed those who rely on wheels to get around to get out and go wherever they please. Even the symbol indicating wheelchair accessible is changing to reflect this new felt freedom.

Look at the person, not the wheelchair, and celebrate this critical ampification of inclusion.