ADA at work: Two girls with Down syndrome honored at White House summit

Trisha Thadani | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption White House honors two girls with Down's Syndrome Devon Adelman and Megan Bomgaars both have Down syndrome, but they want everyone to know that's not even half of their story. Despite their hurdles, Adelman and Bomgaars are both continuing their story past high school to attend college this fall.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Devon Adelman and Megan Bomgaars both have Down syndrome, but they want everyone to know that's not even half of their story.

Adelman, an 18-year-old from Seattle, was a three-year varsity cheerleader, an aquarium docent and also once traveled to Vietnam to teach English. Bomgaars, who lives by the motto "don't limit me," is a 22-year-old who started her own business, Megology, selling her own line of handmade products, and is also a public speaker.

Despite their hurdles, Adelman and Bomgaars are both continuing their story past high school to attend college this fall. Adelman, who fell in love with the ocean at age 2, will be studying marine biology at Highline Community College, while Bomgaars, a tiny figure with a big personality, will study film at the University of Colorado.

Just a few days before the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 celebrates its 25th anniversary Sunday, the two girls walked into the White House on Thursday, joined by about 140 other college-bound students for Michelle Obama's 2015 Beating the Odds Summit. This summit was a part of the first lady's Reach Higher initiative, in which she encourages students to overcome their struggles and continue their education past high school.

From struggling with homelessness to tackling racial barriers, the college-bound attendees came from diverse backgrounds. Adelman and Bomgaars were the only "differently abled" students at the summit.

"I want to be included" Bomgaars, who lives in Colorado, said. "I realize I am doing something good. I love who I am with Down syndrome, and I support people with it, and I am so happy that I can help change their lives."

Considering the accomplishments of the two girls — ranging from Adelman speaking at the United Nations for World Down Syndrome Day, to Bomgaars strutting down a fashion runway — Michelle Sie Whitten, CEO of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, said these girls are a good example of the ADA's potential.

The ADA has been hailed as a "bill of rights" and "an emancipation proclamation" for disabled people. This landmark federal law is aimed at breaking down social and employment barriers for people with disabilities, whether that be in terms of education, transportation or communication.

David Charmatz, senior vice president of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, said even though the legislation has been in action for 25 years and has made significant changes to society, it still has a long way to go in the workforce.

"The system needs to understand that the world has changed, and it is time to re-look at a new population and see what everyone can achieve," Charmatz said. "In the next 25 years, we're going to see a major sea change in how the world is coming together in how we accept different people."

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment-population ratio for people with a disability declined from 17.6% to 17.1% from 2013 to 2014. In contrast, the ratio for those with no disability increased from 64% to 64.6% that same year.

Civil rights issues have dominated headlines this year, but the issues around the disability community continue to be overshadowed, according to Will Reeve, a board member of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which supports and advocates for people with physical disabilities.

"While there have been significant strides thanks to the ADA, we have only scratched the surface on reaching true equality for the 56.7 million Americans living with disabilities," he wrote in an editorial in USA TODAY. "Instead of simply praising what this law has accomplished, we must use this anniversary as a launch pad to safeguard the rights of individuals living with disabilities so that equality becomes part of our everyday existence."

Adelman and Bomgaars said Thursday's White House summit was another chance for them to share what all people with disabilities — not just Down syndrome — are capable of, if given the chance.

Michelle Obama spoke animatedly at the event, and reminded the roomful of students that education is an access to power.

"Rather than thinking that you're from two different worlds from everyone else, with an education you can be the bridge between the two," she said, while Adelman and Bomgaars sat in the front row, star-struck at the sight of the first lady.

Then, near the end of the event, President Obama made a surprise guest appearance to inspire the students with a few words of encouragement.

"If a boy born in Hawaii named Barack Obama can become the president of the United States ... then there is nothing you can't do," he said.

Outside the White House, shortly after the day-long event had come to an end, Adelman was teeming with emotion.

"Education is definitely important in this world, and people need to have a chance to be educated ... at their own pace," she said. "I stand for what people can do to improve our world."

Follow USA TODAY reporter Trisha Thadani on Twitter: @TrishaThadani