A community celebration of the 24th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is planned for Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The event will feature a pre-game picnic at 2:30 p.m. with guest speaker Michael Hoenig, from the University of Iowa’s Center for Development and Disabilities. Michelle Meadors, Ms. Wheelchair Iowa, will also attend the event. The afternoon continues with a Unity March along the concourse at 4 p.m., proclamations read by local leaders, followed by the Kernels baseball game at 5:05 p.m.
Service providers will have displays along the concourse from 4 to 6 p.m. A 50/50 raffle to benefit the event will also be held.
“For some people with disabilities, this is the only event they are able to attend the entire year. So that’s why we go all out to make this a big celebration,” said Cherie Clark, a local disability advocate and member of the planning committee.
People with disabilities and others who are interested in attending should contact Tom Hardecopf at (319) 892-5171 by Monday, June 30. Free Kernels tickets and accessible transportation for people with disabilities are available, but limited.
Partners in planning this event include: Access 2 Independence, Brain Injury Association – East Central Iowa Chapter, Discovery Living, Goodwill of the Heartland, Linn County Community Services, Linn County Lifts, Neighborhood Transportation Service (NTS), Peer Action Disability Support (PADS), REM, The Arc of East Central Iowa, and The Cedar Rapids Kernels.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush to ensure the civil rights of people with disabilities. This legislation established a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against people with disabilities and expanded opportunities for Americans with disabilities by reducing barriers, changing perceptions and increasing full participation in community life.
For more information, contact Tom Hardecopf at (319) 892-5171 or Ann Hearn, Linn County Community Services at (319) 892-5609.