A community celebration of the 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is planned for Saturday, July 23, 2016 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The event will feature a pre-game picnic at 3:30 p.m. with guest speaker Melissa Lewis, BS, RD, MS, JD, Corporate Counsel with Engineered Plastic Components, Inc. (EPC). Ms. Lewis is able to communicate fluently in English and sign language and has extensive experience representing clients who are hearing and deaf. Melissa serves as a member of the Iowa Dual Relay Council with the Iowa Utilities Board and is a former board member of Deaf Iowans Against Abuse.
Following the picnic, participants will engage in an ADA poster flash, proclamations will be read by local leaders, and dignitaries will be recognized on the field prior to the Kernels baseball game, which begins at 6:35 p.m.
Service providers will have displays along the concourse from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vendors include Peer Action Disability Support, REM Iowa, The Arc of East Central Iowa, Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, Deaf Iowans Against Abuse, Heritage Area Agency and Options of Linn County, to name a few.
A 50/50 raffle to benefit the event will also be held. Fireworks follow the game.
People with disabilities and others who are interested in attending should contact Tom Hardecopf at (319) 892-5171 by Friday, July 1. A limited number of free Kernels game tickets are available until that date. Accessible transportation for people with disabilities will also be provided on a limited basis.
For more information, contact Tom Hardecopf at (319) 892-5171 or Ann Hearn, Linn County Community Services at (319) 892-5609.