July 26 marks the 28^th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz today joined Executive Director of the Erie County Office for the Disabled Frank Cammarata, People, Inc. Associate Vice-President of Public Affairs Kevin Horrigan, and representatives of several agencies serving the disabled community at the Museum of disABILITY History in Buffalo to celebrate the anniversary of ADA passage and discuss weekend festivities surrounding it.

“The passage of the ADA was a watershed moment in America, for the first time ever extending equal protections under the law to individuals with disabilities and ensuring that they enjoy the same rights as nondisabled Americans do,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz.  “While much has changed in 28 years, more work remains to be done and we must always be vigilant in safeguarding these rights. I thank Executive Director Cammarata and our many partners for the work they do every day to make our community more accessible, more inclusive, and more welcoming for individuals with disabilities.”  

The ADA gives 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. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. The ADA defines an “individual with a disability” as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.

 Executive Director of the Erie County Office for the Disabled Frank Cammarata added, “Since 1990, only 28 years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act continues to be landmark civil rights legislation for all people with a disability and the ADA affects all people, from curbcuts on sidewalks, ramps and door openers at public offices and reasonable accommodations in workplaces. This law is about ensuring equal access and equal opportunity for every person.”

Presented by the WNY Independent Living, Inc. family of agencies, the Disability Pride Parade and Festival includes three days of fun:

• Saturday, July 28      Parade: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM (starts at City Hall, ends at Coca Cola Field)

                                                      Festival: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM (in the VIP section at Coca Cola Field)

   

• Sunday, July 29         Canalside 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM  Adaptive Water Sports

   

• Monday, July 30       ADA Buffalo Bisons Game, 7:05 PM Coca Cola Field  ***tickets to the game will be  given out to the first 250 attendees at the festival***

    For more information:

    On the WNYIL family of agencies and the Disability Pride Parade and Festival, visit

    http://wnyil.org/Events/Disability-Pride  

    On the Erie County Office for the Disabled, visit http://www2.erie.gov/ecod/   

    On the Museum of disABILITY History, visit http://museumofdisability.org/  

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