AAPD’s ADA Anniversary Event a Tremendous Success

From the JFA Moderator:

 

AAPD’s ADA Anniversary Event a Tremendous Success

AAPD’s ADA Anniversary Event on Wednesday night was a tremendous success, drawing diverse attendees from the both disability community and the political sphere.   Gracious and inspiring, the acceptance speeches of Senators Brownback and Leahy, Advocate Sandy Finucane, Corporate Leader Russ Owen and Author Karin Slaughter revealed each of their personal experiences with disability and their motivations for persevering in the continuing struggle toward Justice for All.  Keynote speaker, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, spoke optimistically about the future as he described his plan to increase access to education for all children in America and asked for the disability community’s continued input as changes are implemented.  Senator Harkin gave a rousing speech which both reflected on how far we have come in the last 19 years and rallied for the present challenge—passing the Community Choice Act.

A consistent theme throughout the evening was the necessity of collaboration in fulfilling the promise of the ADA.   Each speaker referenced inspiration from other notable figures in the audience including Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner and his wife Cheryl, Yoshiko Dart, Ted Kennedy, Jr., Dick Thornburgh and Joyce Bender.   One highlight of the event was an unexpectedly large delegation from the White House comprised of Lisa Brown, Paul Miller, Tina Tchen, Seth Harris and Kareem Dale who gave an impromptu address announcing the best wishes of President Obama and his hope for continued cooperation.  The diversity and caliber of these speakers reflected that of the approximately 200 attendees which included numerous officials from the Administration: Assistant Secretaries Alexa Posny (Nominated OSERS) and Kathy Martinez (ODEP) and Commissioners Donnetta Davidson and Gracia Hillman from the Election Assistance Commission and Stuart Ishimaru (Chair), Christine Griffin and Constance Barker of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 

Throughout the evening the atmosphere inside Senate Hart Room 950 was alive with youthful energy and focused conversation.   The awards program concluded with an individual recognition of each AAPD Summer Intern who received a certificate and was photographed with AAPD’s Board Chair, Tony Coehlo.  The participants lingered long after the last speech as senior officials like Marcie Roth, Rebecca Cokley and Carmen Jones conversed with leading advocates including Dan Fisher, Nancy Bloch, Fred Schroeder, Ari Ne’eman, and Kelly Buckland.  It was stimulating to witness the diverse segments of the disability community come together to celebrate the passage of the ADA and to recommit ourselves to the work ahead.

 

Comment Below: As always, questions, comments, and suggestions are appreciated. We'd love to hear what you liked and didn't like, what we can improve and how we can best honor this important anniversary and those who continue to fight for the promise of the ADA.

Comments

[Joseph N. Kaufman]

What a bunch of hogwash! I recently became disabled and had to leave my job. When I applied for the reduced COBRA, I was told that I was not eligible because I had left my job "voluntarily". Under the ARRA, leaving a job because you become disabled is considered a voluntary quit. Who needs a reduction in COBRA benefits more than someone who can't return to gainful employment! And these Democrats are supposed to be for the disabled. Yea, right!

[Bonnie l. Welbaum]

This year July 26th is the 20th Anniversary. What are the plans for
celebrating this milestone? Where can we
get signs/banners?

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