In this excerpt, the author uses the Berlin Wall as a symbol of a wall of (A) exclusion. (B) knowledge. (C) security. (D) sitence. Even the strongest person couldn't scale the Berlin Wall to gain the elusive promise of independence that lay just beyond. So, together we rejoiced when that barrier fell. Now I sign legislation which takes a sledgehammer to another wall, one which has for too many generations separated Americans with disabilities from the freedom they could glimpse, but not grasp. Once again, we rejoice as this barrier falls for claiming together we will not accept. we will not excuse, we will not tolerate discrimination in America.

The Berlin Wall, erected in 1961, became a powerful emblem of division and oppression during the Cold War. Its physical barrier not only separated East and West Berlin but also symbolized the ideological and political conflicts of the time, highlighting how borders can create exclusion and limit freedom. Its fall in 1989 represented a significant moment of hope and change, embodying the collective yearning for unity and independence. In the context of the excerpt, the author draws a parallel between the historical barriers represented by the Berlin Wall and contemporary challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Just as the Berlin Wall prevented access to freedom, the walls of discrimination create significant obstacles in achieving equality and inclusion. The emphasis on dismantling these barriers resonates with ongoing efforts to foster a society free from exclusion and intolerance.