Today a crowd was gathered at the Blind Ambitions Art Gallery & Boutique in Uptown Richmond, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Mayor Sally Hutton read a proclamation of the Recommitment to Full Implementation of the ADA to onlookers which included members of the community with varied abilities. Also represented were members of organizations who support people with disabilities such as Christi Giglioti from the Independent Living Center as well as service coordinators Jackie Speicher, Michelle Satterfield and many others.
A representative from I.U. East, Traci Taylor, who coordinates services for students was present as well as Cynthia Warren, who helped coordinate this event and is putting together a new in-home service program for the community affiliated with the Independent Living Center. Also Daryl Greene, president of the board of the CCDA in Wayne County was there with his wife Anna. Both are very involved with several non-profits in Wayne County which support people with varying abilities.
After Mayor Hutton reaffirmed the city’s commitment to make all sidewalks accessible in Richmond in the next five years, she signed the proclamation. Many who had gathered also signed a version of the proclamation to continue the advocacy and support of people with differing abilities.
The ADA is the world’s first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities. It has changed many lives –opening the doors to employment by assisting with technology and giving other support needed to be successful in the workplace.
It has also helped to advocate for greater accessability in many areas to give people with differing abilities the freedom to remain independent and flourishing in their communities.
There are many non-profits locally which support people with disabilities in Wayne County and other surrounding counties. To read more about some of these non-profits do a search at GoWayneCounty.com for non-profits and read about those we have covered to date.
The winner with the answer to the Mystery Event challenge was named at the gathering as well. Neal from Equal Opportunity Employment was the winner of over 200.00 in prizes from area merchants.
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