Nearly 35 years ago, in July 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act and praised what the new law would do.

As he signed the law, which enshrined protections from discrimination for people with disabilities, required employers to offer reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities and mandated that public facilities be accessible, Bush praised what it would do.

“Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down,” he said.

In that time, much progress has been made, though as anyone who relies on a mobility aid has likely encountered barriers to access. That makes a story in the Tuesday, Sept. 10, edition of the Butler Eagle, where a power wheelchair user praised Butler’s accessibility, worthy of note.

Jamie Santillo, an Ellwood City native who has used a power wheelchair her entire life, recently visited Butler and was happy with the accessibility she found.

“I was thrilled,” Santillo said. “Even though I am from the area, this is really my first time experiencing this, and I have been absolutely blown away.”

Santillo runs a travel agency that works specifically with people who use wheelchairs, so she knows what she’s talking about when it comes to accessibility.

Santillo, whose parents once again live in Ellwood City, visits them regularly and was noticed by the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau after she posted a picture of an accessible picnic table at Moraine State Park.

Dustin Drew, manager of the park, said accessibility is a major factor in both new facilities and renovations to existing ones.

And Amy Pack with the tourism bureau echoed that sentiment, saying it’s important that recreation facilities are available for everyone.

And from Santillo’s experience, that seems to be happening in Butler County. That is something to be proud of.

— JK