(Photo provided by Access to Independence).
Access to Independence is holding an event to celebrate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
Celebrating 33 years of the ADA, the event will be held this Wednesday from 1-4 p.m. at the Access To Independence office at 26 N. Main St. in the city of Cortland. It will include activities, raffles, speakers, ice cream, and more.
The event is free to attend. Each attendee will receive a free raffle ticket for over 10 raffle baskets, and further raffle tickets are available for purchase.
The ADA, passed by congress 33 years ago, is a law that “protects the civil rights of people with disabilities in many aspects of public life.”
“The ADA is critical to the rights of people with disabilities,” said Access to Independence executive director Alex Mikowski. “It is important to celebrate the work that has been done before and recognize we have work ahead of us to make equal access a reality. We celebrate also to draw attention to the issue. Many people don’t think about disability until someone they love or themselves acquires a disability. We hope to spread awareness so people know what resources are out there.”
Access to Independence provided a schedule for its event on Wednesday:
- Representatives of assemblywoman Anna Kelles and state senator Lea Webb will speak at 1 p.m.
- At 2 p.m., free ice cream will be served; Cortland transit bus tours will be included
- Several craft activities including rock painting, coloring and a special candle craft will begin at 3 p.m.
Individuals interested in the event are encouraged to fill out a registration form. The form can be filled out by clicking here.
The ADA and the local community, Mikowski said, helps create a community “that is more accessible.” Mikowski added that Access to Independence started as a coalition in 1987 due to the lack of physical accessibility in Cortland County.
Mikowski mentioned that the community can help in many ways, including the donation of manual wheelchairs, transport chairs and commodes. Access to Independence also accepts donations to fund community-based activities.
“The biggest thing you can do to help is thinking about how to incorporate people with disabilities into any activity or business that you are involved in,” Mikowski said. “Invite people to share what makes things easier or harder for them. If you want help with that process we can do site visits to help things though steps you could take.”
