Americans with Disabilities Act’s 20th Anniversary Celebrated in Oregon

July 19, 2010
Contact: Nelsa Brodie, 503-945-5690
Program contact: Max Brown, 503-945-6993

July is Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Awareness Month and also the 20th anniversary of the signing into law of ADA. Enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990, ADA established a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability. It was signed into law July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush.

“The Americans with Disabilities Act is one of the most significant pieces of U.S. civil rights legislation passed in the last 60 years,” said Bill Lynch, executive director, Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and chair of the Oregon Disabilities Commission. “On the 20th anniversary of this landmark legislation, we should keep in mind that the ADA is not just for people with disabilities; this law ensures the civil rights of all Americans as we age and develop limitations that may require accommodations. So we all have cause to celebrate this anniversary!”

Even as we celebrate the anniversary of the ADA, Oregonians with disabilities who count on state services to help them live independently are facing new challenges. The economic crisis has meant that there are fewer state resources to pay for these services.

Still, says Lynch, even as we note that we have more progress to make, we should celebrate the progress made so far.

There will be several events across the state to celebrate the ADA’s 20th anniversary. All events are Monday, July 26, and include:

Portland:

20th Anniversary Celebration and Resource Fair
Portland State University, Hoffman Hall
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Events and speakers include elected officials, community and business leaders, free food and more. Sponsored by Portland State University Campus Events and Guest Services, Office of Neighborhood Involvement Disability Program and the Northwest ADA Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center. Partners include the Oregon Disabilities Commission and the Portland Commission on Disability.
  

Contact: Nickole Cheron, 503-823-9970

Salem:

20th Anniversary Celebration
State Capitol steps, 900 Court St. NE
11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Speakers include Cindy Brown of the Northwest ADA Center and Jim Willis of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. Includes a flag ceremony; cake will be served. Sponsored by DHS/OHA, ODOT, and the Oregon State Independent Living Council.
  

Contact: Joan Claypool, 503-945-6706

Eugene:

ADA 20th Anniversary Celebration
Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard St.
1 – 4 p.m.

• Includes speakers from several disability advocacy organizations, along with refreshments for attendees. Sponsored by the Lane Independent Living Alliance.
  

Contact: Dawn Helwig, 541-607-7020

Bend:

20th Anniversary of ADA
City Hall, 710 NW Wall St.
noon – 4 p.m.

• Events include a message from the city manager, resource booths, food vendors, ADA mini-training sessions, and a children’s story hour hosted by the Deschutes Library. Sponsored by the City of Bend.
  

Contact: Susan Duncan, 541-693-2141

Ontario:

Annual ADA Celebration Day
Ontario Lions Park
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Events include a march to City Hall, an address by the mayor, BBQ, raffle and music. Sponsored by the Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living.
  

Contact: Heidi Ragsdale, 541-889-3119

In addition, to honor the anniversary, the Oregon Disabilities Commission has a public awareness campaign, the “Only Go Where You Can Roll” call to action for July 26.  The commission is asking everyone on July 26 to take the “Only Go Where You Can Roll” pledge.  To read more about “Only Go Where You Can Roll,” go to: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/spd/adv/odc/docs/go-roll.pdf

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