Here is your March 13, 2015 update on the Americans with Disabilities Act 25th Anniversary Celebration.
THE ADA LEGACY PROJECT: MOMENTS IN DISABILITY HISTORY 27
A Magna Carta and the Ides of March to the ADA
“Protests and a Magna Carta marked the beginning and the end of the two year run-up to the passage of the ADA. Two history-making protests, the Ides of March to the ADA, occurred in the month of March – the Gallaudet student protest in March 1988 and the “Crawl Up” the Capitol steps in March 1990.
The Gallaudet protest marked the end of the public perception of people with disabilities as objects of pity and the beginning of a new public consciousness regarding people with disabilities. The “Capitol Crawl” marked the transition from a system of paternalistic care by well-meaning but insensitive people to viewing disability as a civil rights issue.”
In addition to the Gallaudet Protest and the Capitol Crawl, this story also includes the petition that appeared in the Washington Post on February 7, 1990, urging prompt approval of the ADA by the House of Representatives. To read more about these historic events, please visit the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities website. The ADA Legacy Project “celebrates the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act on disability rights, and honors the contributions of individuals with disabilities and their allies who persevered in securing the passage of this landmark civil rights legislation.”
25TH ADA ANNIVERSARY FAMILY DAY: Proud Past – Empowered Future
SAVE THE DATE: Join us on July 26 for the premiere ADA Celebration in Minnesota!
MSCOD has exciting plans for July 26th, with our yearlong festivities culminating in a 25th ADA Anniversary Celebration and Family Day at the Minnesota History Center. Everyone is invited to the party, which will run from noon until 4:00pm. Admission is FREE!
The Family Day will include live entertainment, an open mic, arts activities, and much more. A portion of tpt’s upcoming documentary about the ADA will also be aired at the event as well. This celebration will be fun for the whole family, and we hope you join us! Stay tuned for more information.
STILL TIME TO TAKE THE ADA EMPLOYMENT SURVEY!
MSCOD contracted with the Improve Group, an external research group from Saint Paul, to study what the employment landscape in Minnesota looks like now that ADA has been law for 25 years. We are examining how employment—both for the employer, and the disabled individual who may currently be employed, or is seeking employment—has been impacted by the ADA.
[The survey is now closed]
Please share it with everyone!
These survey results will provide valuable data that will allow us to develop employee training programs.
We will gladly share the survey results. You will be prompted at the end of the survey if you would like to receive the report. We are excited to learn about your experience with the ADA! Please contact Andrew Mosca at Andrew.Mosca@state.mn.us or 651-361-7803 with any questions.
REEL ABILITIES FILM FESTIVAL
The Reel Abilities Film Festival, hosted locally by Partnership Resources Inc, will take place from June 11–14, 2015 at multiple venues.
For 2015, Independent Filmmaker Project Minnesota (filmnorth.org), Partnership Resources, Inc. (www.partnershipresources.org), and Twin Cities Public Television (www.tpt.org) are partnering to create a shorts program for this year’s Minneapolis-St. Paul RFF, a Salute to Minnesota Filmmakers of All Abilities. The festival is looking for films by and/or about people with disabilities that creatively and compellingly explore, discuss, and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience.
The deadline for submissions is May 15, 2015. For more information, please visit the Reel Abilities website.
ADA NEWS
- Department of Justice Unveils New On-line Americans with Disabilities Act Complaint Form
- The HSC Foundation Advocates in Disability Award is now accepting applications.
- People With ‘Invisible Disabilities’ Fight For Understanding
- Day In The Life: Disability and Representation in Videogames
- The ADA Legacy Tour stopped in Texas from March 1-5 and Denver, CO from March 9-13. They will be in Topeka, KS from March 17-20.
About the ADA 25th Anniversary Legacy Project
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) turns 25 years old on July 26, 2015. The Minnesota State Council on Disability (MSCOD) is planning a number of activities leading up to and marking this historic day.
The MSCOD ADA 25 year Anniversary Legacy Project seeks to preserve and raise awareness of Minnesota’s role in the development of the ADA as well as celebrate Minnesota’s disability cultures in tandem with the 25 year anniversary of the passage of the ADA.
For more information about the Legacy Fund visit http://www.legacy.leg.mn/.
MSCOD’s Legacy Funds are administered by the Minnesota Humanities Center. Learn more about the Minnesota Humanities Center at http://www.minnesotahumanities.org/.
MSCOD’s 25th ADA Celebration Facebook Page
MSCOD’s 25th ADA Celebration Twitter Feed
MSCOD’s 25th ADA Celebration Page
MSCOD’s 25th ADA Celebration Partners
The Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants Program has been made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008. Administered by the Minnesota Historical Society.