Sample Interview Questions and Answers

You may use these sample questions and answers about the tour to help reporters and radio talk show hosts prepare for and conduct an interview of Jim Ward about the Road to Freedom Tour.  You may also print out copies and provide them to reporters who attend your bus stop.

 

Answers to Questions about the Road to Freedom Tour

 

Q.      What is the Road to Freedom Bus Tour?

 

A.     The Road to Freedom Tour is a year-long, cross-country educational and promotional bus tour to inform and inspire America about the compelling history of disability rights and what remains to be accomplished to fulfill the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA became law in 1990 with overwhelming bi-partisan support and was signed by President Bush, Sr.   The ADA promised freedom, equality and inclusion for people with disabilities. We want America to keep that promise, so we are bringing our history and photographic exhibit to every state to promote and strengthen the call for the most basic freedoms: access to public buildings, and opportunities to live independently, and to work to support themselves and their families.

 

The Road To Freedom is ultimately a human interest story about a family and other advocates who care so much that they are willing to leave the comfort of their homes and travel the country to promote this cause.  Our “Road Crew” includes a husband and wife who sold their home to go on the road with their two young boys; a nonprofit executive and former elected official whose political career was cut short by a disability; a former Vice President and Director of Accessibility for AOL; an African American Air Force Vet with Quadriplegia; a renowned photographer and documentarian with a learning disability…

 

Even Yoshiko Dart, the widow of the disability rights icon, Justin Dart traveled on a leg of our journey. Indeed, it was the cross-country travels of Justin and Yoshiko that inspired the Road to Freedom.

Q.      Why Is the Road to Freedom Tour Important? 

 

A.     Most people remain unaware of the compelling history of disability rights in America.

 

Even fewer may be aware that – following a string of setbacks in the Courts – people with physical, mental, cognitive and developmental disabilities, along with family members, advocates and policymakers, have to reclaim the civil rights protections once thought secure under the greatest accomplishment of the disability rights struggle: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

 

By signing the Americans with Disabilities Act America promised to protect the rights of people with disabilities; we promised to give people with disabilities full access to the American Dream; we promised to help people with disabilities shed the stereotype as America’s “forgotten population.” But America has not yet delivered on the full potential and promise of the ADA.

 

The evidence of a dream delayed can be found in the rising unemployment rates of people with disabilities able and willing to work and the disproportionately high rate of poverty among people with disabilities.  

 

Congress passed the ADA to open the doors to employment, public services and accommodations, and freedom to live integrated into the mainstream community rather than segregated into institutions, nursing homes, and special education classes.  Because of Court setbacks creating a no-win situation for people with disabilities, many people are no longer protected by the ADA when they face discrimination because of their disability.  For example, an employer can say a person is too disabled to do the job, but not disabled enough to be protected. This just is not fair.  We want everyone to know about this injustice, and to let them know there are things they can do to help America keep the Promise of the ADA

 

 

Q.      What will happen at the Bus Stops?

 

A.      The Bus stops feature a display and presentation.  The history exhibit features photography by Tom Olin, a social documentarian whose work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian.  The exhibit guides the viewers through the civil rights struggle for people with disabilities, culminating in the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act more than 15 years ago.

 

Jim Ward, President of ADA Watch and the National Coalition for  Disability Rights, will make a presentation about the ADA, the challenges still faced by people with disabilities, and the need to keep the promise of the ADA. 

 

Local leaders and disability advocates who have worked to coordinate the bus stop will also make presentations.  We also hope to take testimonials from people in the local community about how the ADA has changed their lives, or how the promise of the ADA has not been kept.  We want to share their compelling personal stories and experiences with everyone through the news media and with policy makers in Washington. 

 

 

Q.      How can people get involved in the Road to Freedom Tour?

 

A.     People can come to the Bus stops being planned in their cities and states. 

 

People can also get involved with the cross disability coalition in their state to help support efforts to keep the Promise of the ADA.

 

For more information, people can visit our web site at www.roadtofreedom.org.

 

To download the Word version of the sample Q&A's please click on the following link.