Celebrate 21 Years of the Americans with Disability Act, Tuesday, July 26
A Somewhat Secret Place
July 21, 2011
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George Bush signed the ADA into law 21 years agoStarting with San Franciso in 1867 several American cities made it illegal for persons with “unsightly or disgusting” disabilities to appear in public. Their repeals were caused by the ADA: Omaha Nebraska in 1967, Columbus Ohio in 1972, Chicago Illinois in 1974. To read more click here
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"People with disabilities represent a critical talent pool that is underserved and underutilized." -- Shirley Davis of SHRM
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21 years ago an Act was formulated to afford similar protections for the disabled as those against discrimination by the Civil Rights Act. Disability was defined as "aphysical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity." The Act covered all fields: employment, public transport, accommodation, telecommunications etc. For the complete text of the Americans with Disabilities Act click here
Improved Public spaces
For people with physical disabilties obvious effects are wheelchair access, and operations made to require low Physical Effort. But for mental disabilties the effects are more subtle: design must be easy to understand and tolerant of error and accident to minimize hazard. To find out more click here
Now it's time to Party !
The Americans with Disabilities Act turns 21 and local artists are throwing a celebration called “A Somewhat
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THE ART SHOW |
This celebration is devoted to the lived-experiences of people with disabilities, so there will be a panel discussion, turning around your experiences and how the ADA law and universal design, inclusion and access impact the everyday lives of people with disabilities.
ADA is turning 21, so there will be cake and drinks! There will be a group drawing and writing activity where guests will be encouraged to have fun leaving their mark in pen or Braille. Free invitations are sent to Kickstarter donors http://kck.st/lXgecM and tickets at the door are two for $21, some discounts available check out A Somewhat Secret Place Facebook w/ @ SomewhatSecret 2!
Facilitator: John Agosta, Vice President of Human Services Research Institute
PANELISTS
Bob Joondeph – Executive Director, Disability Rights Oregon
Dean Westwood – Director, Center for Self-Determination at OHSU
Kristi Cule – Self-Advocate, member of the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and Self Advocates as Leaders
Meghan Caughey – Artist, Senior Director of Peer and Wellness Services, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare
Elesia Ashkenazy – Chapter and Outreach Coordinator, Autistic Self Advocacy Network