The Americans with Disabilities Act: 20 Years Later exhibit at the Missouri History Museum.

The Sunday after the opening of the exhibit The Americans with Disabilities Act: 20 Years Later here at the Missouri History Museum, I arrived at work a little earlier than normal in order to beat the large crowds expected for the 20th annual Disability Pride Parade in Forest Park. I noticed a woman heading toward traffic in her motorized wheelchair around the circle drive at the museum. As she passed me I pointed out the accessible ramps installed along the sidewalks. She told me she was trying to get to the other side of the road and I could tell she was a bit nervous, so I offered my assistance. As we negotiated the traffic she and I started talking. She glanced at my nametag and read my title, exhibits preparator. She knew exactly what that meant. She asked me how long I have been working here and if I was an artist. She proceeded to tell me she is an artist who has been painting since she was eight years old, and she sells her paintings in local shows in order to buy more art supplies. What started her painting all those years ago was that she is able to express her emotions and feelings better with brush and paint than anything else. I learned that she loves going to museums where she can look at paintings to get ideas for her next work.

I asked if she had seen the new exhibit we just premiered on disabilities. She said she was planning on going in to see it later that day. A few hours later when I was walking through the galleries I noticed her viewing the ADA exhibit. I stopped and asked her how she thought we did. She replied, “You guys did a great job, and I hope people can better understand some of the trials and tribulations that we as a society face each day.” I told her that being on the team that worked on this show really opened my eyes and has further educated me on just what disabilities are and what people who have them can still accomplish in their lives. Normally I don’t approach visitors in the galleries, but since working on the exhibit I have a newfound understanding of disability rights. That day I made a new friend, and her name is Claudette.

—Louis Mainieri, Exhibits Preparator