Disability and Age Do Not Burden Society

“U.S. Not as Gray as 31 Other Countries” (Dec. 15) also calls attention to the fact that the U.S., like the rest of the world, is becoming grayer. It’s likely that this will also mean increases in vision, hearing and mobility impairments.

Although some readers may react to these developments with fear, with proper planning this is good news. Recently The Times covered a proposed ordinance in Santa Monica to ensure wheelchair-accessible homes (Dec. 2). Disability activists seek to ensure that home assistance will mean that we won’t lose the right to be contributing members of society in our own homes. And advocates seek to fulfill the promise of the Americans With Disabilities Act: that our schools, streets, stores, auditoriums and beaches will be accessible to all.

Your article also contains two phrases reflective of the current thinking that must change: “ . . . an increased burden on working-age people to support the growing legions of those of retirement age” and “ . . . long-term population declines, which will aggravate the difficulties of supporting the elderly.”

Both are valid predictions--if current trends continue. But we must work to create a world in which disability and age are no longer excuses for not employing some individuals, one in which an increasing disability expectancy is evidence that every person is wanted as a contributor to society.

Art Blaser

Orange