Twenty years ago President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, ensuring equal employment opportunities and access to public transportation. But how far have we really come? Two advocates discuss the challenges disabled Americans still face.

On the credenza in Marca Bristo’s sunny downtown Access Living office are a Barbie doll in a wheelchair, a photograph of one of Bristo’s two grown children and awards for her equal rights work on behalf of people with disabilities.

For most people, the prospects of undertaking a cross-country trip is daunting. Not for Matt Eddy of Lynn, who set out yesterday morning on his second coast-to-coast trek to raise money and awareness for the disease he lives with, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and to set a Guinness World Record for fastest cross-country trip by wheelchair.

From crispy delights, to thrills, to entertainment, and now ramps and sidewalk trenches keeping cords out of the way.

Georgie Sydnor likes having a computer program that will read to her the words on the screen and reply to her keystrokes. On the other hand, she’s not a fan of the way the female voice responds to her attempts to navigate a tricky task.

If yelling and banging inside Cherri Cary’s house were to prompt a 911 call, officers most likely would prepare to encounter a violent person.

34-year old Jason Crigler seemed to be on top of the world. The New York based guitarist was playing with stars like Norah Jones and Rufus Wainright, readying his first CD, and expecting his first child. Then he had a massive stroke. But that’s not the end of his story. Tonight, Chronicle documents Crigler’s amazing fight to regain control of his life.

Congaree Elementary is getting students more comfortable with differences by having them experience what it’s like to be disabled.

Several months ago, a $4 million national disability awareness campaign hit the airwaves with high hopes for increasing employment among people with disabilities.

Anna Brown lives her platform, advocating achieving success in any arena despite obstacles.