Agencies working together to celebrate ADA

Several agencies are working together to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Friday, July 27, 2018, at the Kallet Civic Center (Main Street, Oneida). The commemoration is starting with a 9:30 am “meet and greet” featuring guest speaker, Sherry Anne, an award-winning singer/songwriter. Local dignitaries are giving remarks which will be followed by a march around the city of Oneida.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush on July 26, 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law prohibiting discrimination based on disability.

“The ADA has increased awareness and had an impact on our lives in many ways,” said organizer Jennifer Lea, independent living coordinator for ARISE. “At any time, we can be faced with having a disability. You may be born with a disability or experience a disability as part of aging. Or, you can be diagnosed with an illness that will limit your daily functions. Or you could have an accident.

“Because of these, being aware of the ADA is very important. Since 1990, great changes have been made. Today, you can see evidence of the ADA in three areas: equal employment opportunities (Title I), and nondiscrimination (Title II), and public accommodations (Title III). When you see entrances of local businesses with ramps, automatic door openers, and curb cuts on sidewalks, those are all the ADA at work. When accessibility issues are addressed, what we are saying is, everyone is welcome here.”

Nichole Hastings, a member of the Madison County ADA Committee, credits the ADA for providing changes that help her live an active and fulfilling life.

“As a person with a developmental disability, the ADA has allowed me to access my community to the fullest and to independently use my power wheelchair,” said Hastings. “I am able to achieve full independence in every aspect of my life such as: accessing the grocery store, banks, restaurants and my doctors’ offices.”

Hastings is an avid volunteer in the community. She lives independently with her fiancé.

“The ability to use all these different locations to maintain my lifestyle and independence is key, and thanks to the ADA I am able to do so,” she said.

The ADA commemoration program will include comments from elected officials, a reading of the proclamation, and remarks by people who have disabilities. It will also feature guest speaker Sherry Anne, born with a bilateral hearing and speech impairment. Sherry Anne received her doctor of chiropractic by the age of 24 and is an award-winning songwriter and singer.

Working in partnership are The Arc of Madison-Cortland, ARISE, Liberty Resources, Heritage Farm, Inc., BRiDGES, Madison County Health Department and Madison County Motivators. The event has grown each year; last year, hundreds of people attended.

The public is invited to attend and share in this celebration.

By martha

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