Experience truly is a good teacher. One of those experiences has been that not everyone understands what accessibility really is. We have traveled out of town on a number of occasions, expecting to be comfortable in our accessible hotel room and being met with disappointment.
Calling ahead and requesting an accessible room is not enough. Experience has taught me that you must discuss your expectations and needs with a representative at the facility [not the world wide toll free number] and go through your list. For me, besides being able to get in the door, I need to know if they have an ADA or 'comfort height' toilet, grab bars around toilet and in shower, and a roll in shower. If that person doesn't know, find someone who does. Don't make your reservation until you are sure.
I have been researching accessible rooms in a resort town. I'm not sure if these folks know what the ADA is. My ADA has nothing to do with my teeth. Understand your needs and don't take for granted that anyone else does.

 An effort to adopt a more in-motion symbol for accessibility is gaining traction with New York requiring all new signage in the state to utilize the “Accessible Icon.” (Accessible Icon Project)

A revamped version of the blue and white icon that’s long symbolized accessibility everywhere from parking lots to restrooms will soon be commonplace in more communities.

Under a bill signed late last week, New York will be come the first state to require all new and replacement signage used to signify accessibility for people with disabilities to include a more active, in-motion image of a person using a wheelchair.

The state will also change the terminology on such signs, employing the word “accessible” instead of “handicapped.”

The shift is about more than aesthetics, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in signing the legislation.

“This bill is an important step toward correcting society’s understanding of accessibility and eliminating a stigma,” Cuomo said.

New York City and a smattering of other localities, businesses and schools have already agreed to adopt the revamped symbol, known as the “Accessible Icon,” which first gained momentum through a grassroots effort in Boston.

What’s more, the icon is currently on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City as part of an exhibit of culturally-relevant designs developed in recent decades.

From DisabilityScoop.com

        You may have heard or read about the gentleman who fell out of a tree and crushed the vertebrae in his neck at the C3, C4 and C5 levels. He and his family had "the talk" previous to the accident [what to do in case of a severe accident / illness]. The doctors discussed the diagnosis and prognosis with he and his family. He, Tim Bowers, chose to cease all extraordinary measures [a ventilator] that were keeping him alive. Five hours later, he died. Too many people are making such a big deal about his decision. God gave us the ability to make choices. Tim Bowers made his choice. He had the freedom to choose. Read more here...

        I was just reading an article that posed a real disability dilemma for a school district in Ohio. A first grader was going to begin her first grade in a typical school. Her disability required that she use a service dog. The first grade teacher has a disability. She has severe allergies to animals. 
        The school district is making arrangements for the student to attend first grade in another school farther from home. Was this accommodation a reasonable one?

People with disabilities face barriers daily. Often, according to research the most difficult barrier to overcome is dealing with the attitudes of other people regarding people with disabilities. Whether born from ignorance, fear, misunderstanding or hate, these attitudes and perceptions can become barriers to achievement for people with disabilities. The most pervasive negative attitude is focusing on a person's disability rather than on the person's talent.
 
Some attitudinal barriers encountered by people with disabilities include the following: 
 
Inferiority 
Because a person may be impaired in one of life's major functions, some people believe that individual is a "second-class citizen." However, people with disabilities may have skills
that compensate for and/or take priority over the impairment.
  
Pity 
People feel sorry for the person with a disability, which tends to lead to patronizing attitudes.
People with disabilities generally do not want pity and charity, just equal opportunity to earn their own way and live independently.
 
Hero worship
People consider someone with a disability who lives independently or pursues a profession to be brave or "special" for overcoming a disability. But most people with disabilities do not
want accolades for performing day-to-day tasks. The disability is there; the individual has simply learned to adapt by using his or her skills and knowledge.

        So much of my focus [due to personal experience] on this website is geared toward physical disabilities. It is true that many of the problem solving approaches are universal; whether you have a physical, emotional or cognitive 'condition'. Regretfully, I have not posted any details regarding issues for people with developmental disabilities. It was made abundantly clear when I was researching self advocacy.
        "Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. About one in six children in the U.S. have one or more developmental disabilities or other developmental delays." (from the CDC website)

Specific conditions listed as Developmental Disabilities are:

Each condition in the above lists are links for specific details of each.

        The self-advocacy movement seeks to reduce the isolation of people with disabilities [especially developmental disabilities; also grouped as 'intellectual disabilities'] and give them the tools and experience to take greater control over their own lives. People with these challenges have historically been the folks that were placed in group homes and / or institutions. They have traditionally not been included in making decisions affecting there own lives.
        We all have basic civil / human rights. I am embarrassed to admit that I have neglected this group in my writing to date. However, I will continue to advocate for the rights of ALL people, regardless of whether they have a disability or not; regardless of the kind of disability they may have.