American with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebrated.
Cross County Celebrations of the Americans with Disabilities Act Remind Us to Keep Advocating for Change
On July 17, over 200 people gathered in Syracuse to celebrate the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Participants – those with and without disabilities – marched from ARISE on James Street to the Galleries on Salina Street. Festive balloons dotted the crowd, providing a bright backdrop to dozens of posters advocating for the rights of people with disabilities.
As the crowd moved along, people sang out slogans supporting current advocacy efforts, including ensuring the “visitability” of homes and promoting “community living, not institutionalization.” At the Galleries, representatives from the City of Syracuse and the County of Onondaga proclaimed July as Disabilities Awareness Month. ARISE partnered with Enable, Aurora of CNY and other area organizations to coordinate the annual celebration march.
In Oswego County, the Legislature met for a ceremony to proclaim July 26th as Americans with Disabilities Awareness day, and to mark the 19th anniversary of the ADA. Barry Leemann, Chairman of the Oswego County Legislature, presented the proclamation to Jim Cronk, ARISE’s Independent Living Services Representative, and Sabine Ingerson, Director of ARISE in Oswego County.
Click here to read the Post Standard’s coverage of the Syracuse ADA March and Proclamation.
Click here to read more about the Oswego County Proclamation.