Former Gov. Mike Lowry and other speakers will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act in a public ceremony on July 26 in the Legislative Building in Olympia.
The event is entitled “The Americans with Disabilities Act:” Past, Present & Future. Joelle Brouner, executive director of the Washington State Rehabilitation Council, said the event is designed to:
— Draw together people with disabilities and their supporters to reflect on past achievements and the spirit of advocacy that will shape future efforts.
— Emphasize the effect of the landmark civil rights legislation on the lives of people.
— Outline concrete steps to revitalize the commitment of people with disabilities and their friends and loved ones to the law over the next 15 years.
The celebration begins at 11:30 a.m. and continues to 4 p.m. in the ground-floor Columbia Room in the Legislative Building on the Capitol Campus.
Sponsors include the Washington State Rehabilitation Council, the Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council, the State Independent Living Council, the Department of Services for the Blind, the Department of Social and Health Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Governors Committee on Employment and Disability.
In addition to former Gov. Lowry, other speakers will include Randy Revelle of the Washington Hospital Association and Mental Health Parity Coalition; state Rep. Eric Pettigrew; and Sharon and Alan King, disability advocates.
