To celebrate 18 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act went into effect on July 26, 1990, Cleveland hosted its annual ADA Day at Wade Oval on July 25, 2018.
Chris Garr, the Events Chairperson for ADA Cleveland and Director of Program Services at Youth Challenge, explains that ADA Day is “an opportunity for the community of people with disabilities and their families and really EVERYONE to come together to celebrate a groundbreaking piece of legislation”.
The event included a free concert, dozens of food trucks, a movie screening and even a flash mob sponsored by the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990, and is a civil rights law that specifically prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in areas such as employment, government services, transportation, and more. The intention of the law is to ensure that individuals with disabilities receive fair and equal treatment and are able to pursue the same opportunities as non-disabled members of the community.
ADA Cleveland, formed in August 2014, is a collaboration between nearly 20 centers and organizations from the Cleveland area that have a desire to provide equal access and opportunity for the disability community. By combining the forces of 19 different social service agencies, ADA Cleveland is committed to engaging and educating the community in order to continue to spread awareness about the ADA and support equality and access in Northeastern Ohio. Their core values include the standards of Community, Independence, Equality, Change, Access, Advocacy, and Opportunity.
ADA Day Cleveland Supporters
Liner Legal was proud to be a community partner of ADA Day Cleveland in University Circle for the second year in a row! Michael Liner and Andrew November had a great time meeting community members and sharing the Liner Legal mission of “fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves.”
