Large celebration marks 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Event creates unprecedented unity among disability organizations in Pa.

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 25, 2007 – Hundreds of people gathered at a celebration in downtown Harrisburg today to mark the seventeenth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the most significant piece of civil rights legislation since the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  In addition to celebrating the ADA’s impact on our society by removing barriers to access and changing attitudes, the event brought together an unprecedented number of diverse disability organizations from throughout Pennsylvania.

“The ADA has improved the lives of the 54 million Americans with disabilities, including nearly 1.8 Pennsylvanians with disabilities,” said Theotis W. Braddy, Executive Director of the Center for Independent Living of Central PA, Inc.  “The wonderful impact of the ADA is all around us, the curb cuts, wheelchair lifts, Braille signs, accessible transportation and most importantly it continues to change attitudes about people with disabilities.”

President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 on July 26, 1990.  The ADA is the world’s first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities.  The landmark legislation is designed to eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities by guaranteeing equal opportunity to employment, transportation, government services and telecommunications.

“This seventeenth anniversary celebration is particularly special to all of us because it is the first time this many diverse disability organizations from throughout Pennsylvania have come together,” said Debbie Robinson, Executive Director of Speaking For Ourselves.  “I believe the unity here today will grow stronger as we continue to combine our experiences and expertise in a wide range of disability issues to further the disability rights movement in Pennsylvania.”

The celebration events began at 10:30 a.m. with exhibits from several disability organizations in front of the Harrisburg City Government Center.  Second Street was closed from Market Street to Walnut Street from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. to accommodate the large crowds for a ceremony which started at 11:30 a.m. 

The impressive list of speakers is scheduled for the ceremony:

• Pennsylvania Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle Richman,
• Theo Braddy, Center for Independent Living of Central PA, Camp Hill,
• Debbie Robinson, Speaking for Ourselves, Philadelphia,
• Lou Diehl, Center for Independent Living Opportunities, York,  
• Rachel Freund,  Mental Health Association of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh,
• Denise Brown,  PA Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Harrisburg
• Steve Pennington, Center for Disability Law, Philadelphia
• Paul O’Hanlon, Disability Voting Coalition of PA, Pittsburgh
• Brian Habermehl, Self-Advocate, Philadelphia
• Peggy Dougherty, Self-Advocate

Following the ceremony the hundreds of participants moved to City Island to continue the celebration with an afternoon of fun events and activities for kids.  The event was organized by the Center for Independent Living of Central PA, Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program, Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council and Speaking For Ourselves.

“The passion of the hundreds of people at today’s ADA anniversary celebration is proof of the strength of the disability community in Pennsylvania,” said Corey L. Rowley, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council.  “However, there are many goals of the ADA that have not been met and all of us are committed to fighting for the equality and opportunities that is the intent of the ADA.”

While the ADA has significantly removed barriers for people with disabilities, employment, poverty and health care options remain issues of concern.  A survey in 2004 by the National Organization on Disability found that only 35 percent of people with disabilities are employed and people with disabilities are three times more likely to live in poverty with household incomes below $15,000. 

According to the U.S. Census, there are more than 33,000 people with disabilities in Dauphin County and 25,000 Cumberland County. 

Sponsors for the anniversary celebration included:

• United Disabilities Services
• American Taxi
• Armstrong Printery, Inc.
• J. P. Lilley
• Jensar Associates
• Subway
• Cumberland County Office of Aging and Community Services
• The Arc of PA
• The Arc of Dauphin & Lebanon Counties
• PNC Bank
• M&T Bank
• Temple University Institute on Disabilities
• Autism Society of America, Harrisburg Chapter
• PA Chapters National Multiple Sclerosis Society
• Hearing Loss Association of the Capital Region
• United Cerebral Palsy of PA
• Tri-County Association for the Blind
• Parent to Parent of PA
• Special Kids Network
• Capital Area Transit
• Adam Long       
• Gil & Amy Selders