ADA 30th Anniversary Celebration

2020/30 The 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

A Different Kind of Celebration

2020 year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Disability Network Southwest Michigan holds an annual event each July to celebrate the landmark legislation which granted rights and provided independence to so many people. This year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Disability Network’s celebration will look a little different – a virtual, online celebration has been planned for Friday, July 24. In addition, to this celebratory event, Disability Network will be holding a host of community education events focused on the Disability Rights movement.

Register below to join us online for our ADA 30th Anniversary Celebration!

Friday, July 24, 2020
11:45 AM – 1:30 PM

The program:

Registrants will receive an email with instructions for joining us on-line or calling in on a phone.

  • The event will be live at 11:45 AM – join us then to settle in, listen to some music and visit with other participants.
  • At 12:00 noon we will start our program which will include:
  • A welcome from Joel Cooper, our President and CEO
  • An introduction to and viewing of our newly created Disability History Timeline
  • RAMP-A-THON kick off!
  • Awards Presentations:
    • Community Inclusion Award
    • Volunteer of the Year Award
    • Jim Neubacher Lifetime Achievement Award
    • Bob Davis Independent Living Award
  • RAMP-A-THON follow up
  • Closing words from Bill Chapman, Board of Directors Chairperson

ASL interpretation and captioning will be available during the duration of the program.

We will be drawing four names to receive $25 Amazon Gift Certificates – must be present to win!

Register:

Online registration is now closed. If you would like to register, or if you have any questions or concerns regarding this webinar, please email Laurie at ada@dnswm.org or call her at 269-345-1516 x115.

This event is funded in part by ADA Michigan, an affiliate of the Great Lakes ADA Center, through grant #90DP0091-01-00 from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research.

Our ADA celebration is an annual tradition

This year is the thirtieth anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA anniversary celebration has become an annual tradition at Disability Network as we gather with our customers, community partners, neighbors and elected officials to celebrate the passage of this important civil rights legislation. The ADA protects people with disabilities from being discriminated against and provides for equal access to public spaces.

The signing of the ADA has had a powerful impact on people with disabilities and was an important victory in the Disability Rights Movement. “We are thrilled to host a community celebration of this monumental civil rights law. The ADA has revolutionized the way we think about creating communities. It opened unprecedented doors of opportunity, inclusion and access for everyone,” said Joel W. Cooper, our President and CEO.

RAMP-A-THON kicks off at our ADA celebration

Each year we kickoff our RAMP-A-THON campaign at our ADA anniversary celebration. RAMP-A-THON raises awareness of the need for ramps on homes in our communities and raises money to construct or purchase ramps for people with mobility disabilities in our service area. A ramp makes it possible to do something as basic as getting to the mailbox, as important as getting to doctor appointments, and as critical as being able to vacate in the event of an emergency. Ramps allow everyone equal opportunity to be a vibrant part of their community.

Additional Events in Celebration of the ADA Anniversary

Follow these links for details about other Disability Network online events happening in July to help celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act!