Friday, 15 May 2026 11:45 AM
Company Update
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein of Michigan is encouraging communities, businesses, and individuals to make accessibility and inclusion part of everyday decision-making rather than an afterthought.
LANSING, MI / ACCESS Newswire / May 15, 2026 / Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein is raising awareness about the continuing need for accessibility, inclusion, and equal participation for individuals with disabilities across public life. Drawing from decades of advocacy and legal work, Bernstein is encouraging people to take practical action within their own communities to improve access in schools, workplaces, public venues, transportation systems, and local businesses.
Bernstein, the first blind justice elected to the Michigan Supreme Court, says accessibility should not be viewed as a specialized issue affecting only a small portion of the population. Instead, he believes equal access strengthens communities as a whole.
"If a system excludes people, then the system needs to improve," Bernstein said. "Accessibility should never be treated as an afterthought. Equal access should simply be standard practice."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 4 adults in the United States lives with some type of disability. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 1.3 billion people globally experience significant disability. Despite advances in accessibility law and technology, many individuals still encounter barriers involving transportation, education, employment, and public spaces.
Bernstein has spent much of his legal career working directly on those issues. Before joining the Michigan Supreme Court in 2015, he practiced law focused heavily on disability rights and public service. One of the most notable cases associated with his advocacy involved improving wheelchair accessibility at Michigan Stadium through an agreement that expanded accessible seating, parking, routes, restrooms, and concessions. The agreement later became recognized as a national accessibility model.
"Many accessibility cases are not theoretical," Bernstein explained. "They involve whether someone can enter a building, use transportation, attend school events, or participate fully in public life."
Research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics continues to show employment disparities for Americans with disabilities. In 2025, the labor force participation rate for individuals with disabilities remained significantly lower than for those without disabilities. Advocacy organizations also continue to report that accessibility barriers contribute to social isolation, reduced educational opportunity, and limited economic participation.
Bernstein believes progress often starts with individual awareness and consistent action rather than waiting for large institutions to lead change.
"People do not need to wait for a courtroom decision to improve accessibility," he said. "Communities can evaluate whether public spaces are welcoming, whether communication is accessible, and whether people are being included fairly in everyday life."
In addition to his legal work, Bernstein is also known for his endurance athletics. Despite being legally blind since birth due to retinitis pigmentosa, he has completed numerous marathons and Ironman competitions around the world. In 2012, Bernstein suffered devastating injuries after being struck by a cyclist while walking through Central Park, spending months in recovery before returning to marathon training and completing another marathon the following year.
He says those experiences reinforced his belief in resilience and forward progress.
"Setbacks do not define you unless you allow them to stop your progress entirely," Bernstein said. "The goal is to continue moving forward, even when circumstances are difficult."
Bernstein also emphasized that accessibility improvements benefit far more people than many realize. Features such as accessible entrances, transportation accommodations, captioning, and inclusive design frequently assist seniors, families, veterans, and individuals recovering from injuries in addition to people living with disabilities.
The Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law in 1990, remains one of the most important civil rights laws in the United States. However, accessibility advocates note that many public and private spaces still fall short of full compliance more than three decades later.
Bernstein hopes more individuals will approach accessibility as a shared responsibility rather than solely a legal obligation.
"Leadership is service," Bernstein said. "The best leaders improve systems so other people have greater opportunity to succeed."
As part of his awareness efforts, Bernstein encourages individuals to take simple independent actions within their own communities, including supporting inclusive local businesses, advocating for accessible public spaces, listening to individuals with disabilities about lived experiences, and reviewing whether schools, workplaces, and community events are genuinely accessible to all participants.
He also encourages younger generations with disabilities to pursue leadership opportunities in law, public service, business, athletics, and education.
"Representation matters because it changes expectations," Bernstein said. "It expands what younger generations believe is possible."
For Bernstein, accessibility is ultimately tied to fairness, dignity, and participation in society.
"Courts affect everyday life," he said. "Decisions impact families, workers, students, veterans, and people with disabilities. Equal justice and equal opportunity should never depend on whether someone faces a physical barrier."
About Richard Bernstein Michigan
Richard Bernstein is a justice on the Michigan Supreme Court and the first blind justice elected in the court's history. Born legally blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, Bernstein built a legal career focused on disability rights, accessibility advocacy, and public service. Before joining the court in 2015, he practiced law at The Sam Bernstein Law Firm and worked on landmark accessibility cases involving public accommodations and transportation systems. Bernstein is also an endurance athlete who has completed numerous marathons and Ironman competitions.
Media Contact:
https://www.richardbernsteinmichigan.com/
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SOURCE: Richard Bernstein