Next Thursday, July 26, marks the 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark legislation, signed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, gave civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age and religion. Chattanoogan’s are invited to celebrate this anniversary at an event hosted by the Mayor’s Council on Disability at the Waterhouse Pavilion in Miller Plaza on Thursday, from 11 a.m.
to 1 p.m.
Sponsored by CARTA, Carrabbas and the Big Chill, this celebration event will include performances from the Orange Grove singers as well as entertainment provided by Willie “Wham,” a visually-impaired DJ who is one of the many success stories of the Signal Centers Employment Services program. Cinderella and Peter Pan from Rock City Gardens will be joining guests at the celebration and resource fair, enjoying snow cones, popcorn and more with resources from community partners, including the Chattanooga Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA), Chattanooga Therapeutic Recreation Services, Chattanooga Autism Center, Department of Human Services Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Disability Rights Tennessee, Epilepsy Foundation of SE TN, Erlanger Community Health Center, the Greater Chattanooga Area Center for Adult Autism, Invisible Disabilities Association, League of Women Voters, Miss Wheelchair Tennessee, SensaCalm, Signal Centers, Siskin Children’s Institute and WTCI, Chattanooga’s community PBS station.
“Nearly 37 million people in our country have a disability and almost 25% of today’s 20 year-olds will experience disability in their lifetime. At the Office of Multicultural Affairs we are proud to host the Mayor’s Council on Disability and this important annual event celebrating our community’s commitment to equal opportunities in Chattanooga for citizens of all abilities,” said James McKissic, administrator of the City’s OMA.
Sign language interpreters will be available and additional event information can be found on the Council’s Facebook page. The Mayor’s Council on Disability is an advisory group of citizens with a mission to provide direction and guidance to the Mayor and Chattanooga City Council by proposing policies, programs, practices and procedures that give equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, empowering them to achieve inclusion and integration in all aspects of society. Chaired by Jennifer Crutchfield, members of the Mayor’s Council work to support economic self-sufficiency, independent living and inclusion and integration for all individuals with disabilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Additional information on the Council and a robust list of local and regional resources supporting people and families with disabilities may be foundonline.