The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law 25 years ago on July 26, 1990. To celebrate the anniversary of this landmark legislation, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) invites you to join us and participate in events around the state with the first event in Miami.
July 10-2015 – Southern Region
On July 10, APD’s Southern Region will host its seventh annual Gallery of Dreams at the Rohde Building, South Tower lobby, located at 401 Northwest 2nd Avenue. The opening ceremony will be held 10-11 a.m.
The art exhibit will feature the work of more than two dozen artists in Miami-Dade County who are also customers of APD. The artwork will remain up until August 31. For these artists, an exhibition of their work in a public gallery is truly a dream come true.
The artists are mostly untrained, and are not in the mainstream Miami arts community. This makes the artwork even more amazing, as the artists’ natural talents reflect their unique perceptions. Often the art was created during adult day training and licensed community residential programs.
Gallery of Dreams Program
10 a.m. Welcome by Evelyn Alvarez
10:10 a.m. Singing of the National Anthem-Alex Diaz-Cruz
10:15 a.m. Keynote speaker-Andrew Vargas from Trujillo, Vargas, Ortiz & Gonzalez, P.A.-History of the ADA
10:35 a.m. Presentation of the Proclamation-Rep. Levine
10:45 a.m. Recognition of the Artists-Kirk Ryon and Maria Angeles Linares
11 a.m. Wrap-up, thank you and opening of the Gallery of Dreams-Evelyn Alvarez
For more information, please contact Maria Linares at Maria.Linares@apdcares.org .
July 18, 2015 – Suncoast Region
The APD Suncoast Region is proud to serve on the Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities committee and believes in its goal to provide “public awareness information and activities concerning the needs and resources of citizens with disabilities.”
In keeping with this goal, the committee has organized an exciting celebration to honor the 25th Anniversary of the ADA. This Year’s them is ADA: 25 Years of Progress.
The ADA Celebration is at:
Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
4801 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL
Schedule of Events
9:30 a.m. – Sensory Friendly
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Open to the Public
Exhibitors will be on hand to share information and the latest and greatest in technology advancements and improvements.
The Annual Advocacy Awards for Thomas Ulvenes Outstanding Community Service, Karen Jacobs Accessibility for All, Outstanding Youth/Young Adult Service Award and Veterans Service Award (New) will be presented during the event. Refreshments to be served.
For more information, please contact Glorie Singleton at Glorie.Singleton@apdcares.org .
Northeast Region
The Northeast APD Region has two ADA celebrations planned: July 22 in Daytona Beach and July 23 in Gainesville. The schedule for both events are:
July 22, 2015 – Daytona Beach
10 a.m. – Meet in the UCF building on the Daytona State College Campus for remarks by State Representative Dwayne Taylor and to watch the video “Lives Worth Living,” a history of the ADA, and how this legislation has shaped our lives, followed by music.
11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Gather in the clock tower quad / landing in the courtyard of Daytona State College to hear speeches from a state senator, an individual with a disability, and a local businessman or local government official. After the speeches, we will release 25 red, white and blue balloons in the courtyard.
4:30 p.m. to 5:55 p.m. – Meet at the Volusia County Courthouse Annex steps (125 Orande Ave.) next to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Radiology Associates Field on City Island. Converge upon the steps of the Court House Annex on Orange Avenue for speeches from Judge Dawn Fields, individuals with a disability, and a state senator.
6 p.m. – March as a group to the Jackie Robinson Ball Park for the gate opening at 6:05 PM for ADA Night. The game is between the Daytona Tortugas and Charlotte Stone Crabs.
A contest to create posters depicting how the ADA has improved the lives of those with a disability will occur within the local disability community. The posters will be displayed at the ball field on ADA Night. A state representative, and local government official will select three posters to be displayed throughout the year in public buildings (Court House, libraries, and city halls).
July 23, 2015 – Gainesville
Alachua County Senior Recreation Center
5701 NW 34th Street
Gainesville FL 32653
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – There will be an ADA Expo to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Expo will include many community resources, personal stories and door prizes.
Lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m.
For more information, please contact Belinda Hoyt at belinda.hoyt@apdcares.org .
Northwest Region
There are two celebrations planned for the APD Northwest Region: July 24 in Tallahassee and July 29 in Pensacola.
July 24, 2015 – Tallahassee
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ADA on July 24 in Tallahassee. APD, Ability 1st, Blind Services, City of Tallahassee, Vocational Rehabilitation, and many other stakeholders will host Florida’s celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the ADA. State and community leaders will participate in a program from 10 to 11 a.m. in Tallahassee City Commission Chambers. The keynote speaker will be national disability advocate John Kemp, who had a role in the creation of the ADA.
Event Program
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Informational Displays at 2nd Floor City Hall
9 a.m. – Marchers Gathering at Adams Street and Park Avenue
9:30 a.m. – Celebrate Independence March to City Hall
9:45 a.m. – Cut Celebration Cake at 2nd Floor City Hall
10 a.m. – ADA Celebration Program with John Kemp, State and Local Dignitaries
11 a.m. – Entertainment, Activities, and Lunch at Capital Courtyard
Sponsors of this event include Tallahassee Community College, Leon County, City of Tallahassee, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Publix, Outback, and many others. Door prizes will be given out at the end of the program at City Hall including tickets to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where they filmed “Dolphin Tale,” and Tallahassee IMAX tickets. More information available at http://apdcares.org/
For more information, please contact Melanie Etters at Melanie.etters@apdcares.org
July 29, 2015 – Pensacola
There is an Annual ADA Awards and Volunteer Recognition Luncheon & Lacey A. Collier Sensory Complex Tours from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Escambia Westgate School in Pensacola.
For more information, individuals can call Danny Broxson at 850-595-5566 or email danielb@cil-drc.org .
July 30, 2015 – Southeast Region
The Coalition for Independent Living Options, Inc. (CILO) will celebrate their 25th Anniversary and the 25th Anniversary of the ADA. The event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. at:
6800 Forest Hill Boulevard
West Palm Beach FL
Wear your island best and enjoy a Caribbean Barbeque
Music of Tito Puente, Jr. and the Royal DJ’s.
There is a $10 fee to cover the cost of the food and entertainment. Click here to register for the event.
For more information, please visit: http://www.cilo.org/
If you need an A.D.A. accommodation, (sign language interpreter, large print, use wheelchair), the deadline to register is July 15, 2015. Please call 561.966.4288, VP: 561.290.025 or email lfox@cilo.org .
For a complete list of ADA events, please visit http://apdcares.org/news/adaevents.htm .
Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities 