Aged and Disabled Population
Part I Issues the aging population face or experience is unequal treatment in employment and may face prejudice and discrimination along the way older adults share physical characteristics that distinguish them from younger people, and their cultural preferences and leisure-time activities often differ from those of the rest of society.

Ageism is the prejudice and discrimination against the elderly. Ageism influences the presence of diversity in society by encouraging discrimination and hate towards the elderly in society and the workplace. Poverty can affect the elderly in many ways; there is significant variation in wealth and poverty among the nation’s older
People, some individuals and couples find themselves poor in part because of fixed pensions and skyrocketing health care costs. To address these issues the elderly formed organizations such as OWL (Older Women’s League) and AARP (American Association of Retired Persons). As a result older adults in the United States are better off today financially and physically than ever before. Many of them have strong financial assets and medical care packages that will take care of almost any need. But, as we have seen, a significant segment is impoverished and faces the prospect of declining health and mounting medical bills.

Two agencies that address these issues are The YMCA and Serenity Harbor Residential Care Home For The Elderly. The local YMCA gives the elderly after retirement jobs as well as a place to exercise, converse, and feel a part of. The local elderly care facility gives the elderly a vast amount of activities to participate in as well as round the clock care and housing. This is an example of minor changes in the community these two places alone is not enough to address the problems our elderly face.

Part II The ADA is an act that went into affect in 1992 covering people with a disability, defined as a condition that “substantially limits” a “major life activity” such as walking or seeing. The ADA prohibits bias in employment, transportation, public accommodations, and telecommunication against people with disabilities. The ADA was established when Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice reached in its enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act reflecting the wide range of situations that create discrimination today. In the past people with disabilities were discriminated against and had little to no rights. This affected the disabled when they interacted in society by making it harder to get a job or any other normal activity, they would be received with mixed feelings. The attitude toward disabled people has changed through recognition and acceptance. Through organizations such as the ADA the disabled are getting more rights resulting in them living normal lives and being accepted. Some unique issues the disabled encounter are everyday things we take for granted such as, driving a car, riding a bike, or going on a plane ride. There are certain circumstances the disabled encounter as well such as going certain places and having to rely on adult supervision or having to engaging in activities that are disabled friendly only. The call for visitability has helped developers and architects build buildings and homes with the disabled in mind, this means bigger doorways as well as handrails and wheelchair access.

Here is a list of local recreational activities and clubs for the disabled 1) The Outdoor Adventure Club, 2) Friday Night Socials, 3) Job Development, 4) Health coaching. These clubs are creating a more inclusive environment for the disabled by allowing the disabled to interact not just with each other, but other people of society as well. They are also letting the disabled make decisions for themselves in normal situation. They are also preparing the disabled for the work force by helping them create resumes and search for fulfilling jobs.