The month of July opened and closed with two national celebrations: Independence Day on the fourth and the 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on the 26th. Both provide annual reminders not to take freedom for granted.

I value my country's democratic freedoms, but the freedom at the top of my list of concerns is the personal independence of people with disabilities.

Independence Day commemorates the Declaration of Independence and our country's principles and values about human freedom. Philosophers of the time wrote about ways to create independence before the Declaration was written. Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau wrote about the social contract, in which we voluntarily give up some rights and natural freedoms to be protected by the government. The social contract limits our freedoms and asks us to give up portions of our wealth to support the government. In turn, the government makes and enforces laws for our protections from victimization and threats to independence. The government also commits to helping us achieve our common goals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Like most members of society, for me to pursue happiness, I have to get out of bed in the morning and contribute to my family and community. But I cannot get out of bed without the help of society in the form of personal-care attendants. In Minnesota's current economy, with a low unemployment rate and low state reimbursement rates for home and community-based services, many in the disability community wonder how long we can remain living independently in our homes.

Guaranteed since passage of the ADA of 1990, our goal has been and remains independence and inclusion. For us to enjoy independence requires society to understand our interdependence. The social contract is really all about interdependence. For us to prosper, we need caregivers; caregivers need jobs caring for us — and they need a livable wage. Our state health care systems are intended to join together people with disabilities and senior citizens with individuals who have the compassion, skills and desire to help people. At a minimum, their work keeps people out of costly institutional settings such as hospitals and nursing homes. Well-trained personal care attendants (PCAs) can prevent long-term and extremely expensive health conditions such as skin breakdowns, pneumonia, bladder and kidney infections, and broken bones. It's also likely that with good care, we use fewer medications for infections, stress and anxiety.

What is the best tactic to resolve a crisis that — if not averted — would weigh heavily on taxpayers, since many people with disabilities would be diverted from independence and productivity to very costly nursing homes? Should people with disabilities and our PCAs continue to cordially lobby the Legislature and policymakers — and feel as if we're crushing our heads against the proverbial brick wall? Should we mobilize on the street and demand action? Should we gather at the State Capitol and park our wheelchairs on the front lawn, in front of the Department of Human Services or in front of the governor's residence?

Actions used in the civil-rights movement of the early 1960s were also useful in the disability-rights movement that began in the 1970s. People with disabilities set a record for the longest sit-in in U.S. history when Judy Heumann led demonstrators for 28 days in the San Francisco Federal Building, leading to passage of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 — the precursor to the ADA. There are many examples of successful protests, sit-ins and demonstrations around the U.S. In 1988 at Gallaudet University, students held a weeklong protest; their "Deaf President Now" movement prevailed. More recently, advocates with disabilities held a 75-day protest in the Tennessee governor's office over the massive cuts to that state's Medicaid system.

Locally, in 1977, after protests and intense negotiations, the United Handicapped Federation sued the Metropolitan Transit Commission in U.S. District Court, and the two sides worked together to draw up boundaries for the largest accessible dial-a-ride in the U.S. — our Metro Mobility.

These actions worked. What does that tell us? We must act and not stop until we achieve success. We invite the general public to join us as we move forward.

Timothy Benjamin is the executive director of Access Press, Minnesota's Disability Community newspaper since 1991. It regularly features articles about PCAs needing to earn a livable wage.