The Meaning of Independence
Guest Blog by Doug Goist, NSITE's Program Manager, Workforce Development
For many Americans, the Fourth of July holiday provided another opportunity to gather around the barbecue grill with family and friends, take in a dazzling fireworks show, and otherwise enjoy a little downtime celebrating the start of summer.
For America as a whole, Independence Day is the annual recognition of the sacrifice made by a small group of fearless English expatriates determined to find life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness far from the oppressive rule of England’s autocratic King George III.
Today, 247 years later, this burning desire for independence remains hardwired in our American DNA, and whenever our freedoms are threatened, we reflexively seek to restore our autonomy at almost any cost. I cannot speak for the more than one million working-age Americans who are blind, but I can speak from personal experience and the experiences of my friends; this hardwired ‘independence reflex’ remains strong within all of us, regardless of our disability.?