WHAT: With the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) next year on July 26, organizers of the ADA Legacy Project embark on a yearlong, nationwide tour to build awareness of this historic legislation.
A press conference featuring Disability Rights Advocate Lex Frieden, Director of Great Lakes ADA Center Robin Jones, former Executive Director of the Mayor’s office for People with Disabilities Michelle Colvard, and Houston Mayor Annise Parker will be held to officially announce the start of ADA Legacy Tour, reveal ADA25 related activities, and discuss the progress of the ADA and current events affecting individuals with disabilities.
WHEN: Friday, July 25, 2014, 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Abilities Expo NRG Center (formerly Reliant Center), 1 Reliant Park, Houston, TX 77054
BACKGROUND:
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability. It affords similar protections against discrimination to Americans with disabilities as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which made discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, and other characteristics illegal. The mission of the ADA Legacy Project is to preserve disability history, celebrate its milestones, and educate the public and future generations of advocates.
With stops around the United States over the next year, the ADA Legacy Tour features the Road to Freedom RV courtesy of the Disability Rights Center, a four-panel display on the history of self-advocacy courtesy of the Museum of Disability History, displays on the preservation of disability history, celebrations of disability milestones and efforts to educate future disability advocates courtesy of the ADA Legacy Project, and a workshop on the ADA courtesy of the ADA National Network.
The Abilities Expo, taking place July 25-27 in Houston, reaches out to all ages and all sectors of the community including wounded veterans, persons recovering from immobilizing accidents, seniors with age-related health concerns, children with disabilities, individuals with mobility and spinal issues, people who have vision and hearing impairments, people with developmental disabilities, and many more. Admission is free.
Disability Rights Advocate Lex Frieden became interested in working for the rights of the disabled after he suffered a spinal cord injury that left him without the use of his lower body and partial use of his arms. After his accident, he went to TIRR Memorial Hermann for rehabilitation where he now directs the Independent Living Research Utilization Program. From 1984 to 1988, Frieden served as executive director of the National Council on Disability and was instrumental in conceiving and drafting the Americans with Disabilities Act.
TIRR Memorial Hermann changes lives by improving outcomes, offering hope and maximizing independence for people affected by disabling injury or illness. Recognized among the leading rehabilitation hospitals in the country, TIRR Memorial Hermann serves as a model for interdisciplinary rehabilitation services, patient care, education and research. TIRR Memorial Hermann is a 134-bed nonprofit rehabilitation hospital located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston. Founded in 1959, TIRR Memorial Hermann has been named one of “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News and World Report for 25 consecutive years. TIRR Memorial Hermann provides rehabilitation services for individuals with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, strokes, amputations, and neuromuscular disorders.
The Abilities Expo is free and will last all weekend:
Friday, July 25: 11am- 5pm
Saturday, July 26: 11am- 5pm
Sunday, July 27: 11am- 4pm