07/02/2002

I was saddened recently by the death of Justin Dart, who was known as the father of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He died at age 71 from congestive heart failure and complications from post polio syndrome.

Dart, an international leader in the disability-rights movement, has been one of my heroes for years. He was the recipient of five presidential appointments and was recognized with many other honors and awards. In July 1990 he was on the podium when then-President George Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law.

I had the privilege to meet Dart on three occasions. I first met him in an elevator in 1991 when, as a student, I attended the Presidents Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities Conference in Washington, D.C. I could not believe that I was within two feet of the man I had come to Washington to hear speak. I had so many questions but I was speechless. Just before the elevator door was about to open I got up my nerve to introduce myself. I told him that it was an honor to meet him, and that I liked his hat. I could not believe that I finally had the opportunity to meet one of my heroes and all I could comment on was his hat!

Four years later I had my second opportunity to meet Dart. I was a representative at the National Council on Disability Voices of Freedom Forum in Washington. This time when the chance to meet with him personally came up, I was not speechless. Instead, we talked about the commitment Rhode Island has to removing barriers and ensuring equal access for all citizens. I remember Dart commenting that Rhode Island was a role model for other states.

Dart's list of disability advocacy accomplishments over the years is significant. His advocacy includes a role as chairman of the Texas Governor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities. He served as the vice chairman of the National Council on Disability. He was also appointed chairperson of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. One of his most significant accomplishments was working on the passage of the ADA. As the chair of the congressional task force on the Rights and Empowerment of Americans with Disabilities, he traveled the country. He spread the message throughout the country that the ADA was the "civil rights act of the future."

His advocacy work did not end with the passage of the ADA. He continued to travel and raise awareness of causes such as universal health care. Dart fought for legislation and remained a leader for disability rights. He was a founding member of the Justice for All Web site(http://www.jfanow.org), , a disability network e-mail alert. In 1998 Dart received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. My last meeting with Dart was when I interviewed him in 1996. He was in Rhode Island as part of a public policy tour to all 50 states raising awareness of the importance of voting. One of his memorable quotes from that interview was, "Get into politics as if your life depended upon it because it does." His autographed picture and inspiring words hang proudly over my desk.

Before he died, Dart wrote a final message, which is posted on the Justice for All Web site: "I call for solidarity among all who love justice, all who love life, to create a revolution that will empower every single human being to govern his or her life, to govern the society and to be fully productive of life quality for self and for all."

Dart's commitment to justice continues to make a difference, and his legacy will empower future generations to come.

Kate McCarthy-Barnett, Ed.D., can be reached via e-mail at kmccarthybarnett@aol.com or c/o The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, R.I. 02902.