by Gabe Taylor
Each year, The Independence Center (The IC) hosts a luncheon to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The celebration is always held on the 26th of July, which coincides with the signing of this important legislation into law back in 1990. On that date, sitting with a group of people with disabilities, George H. W. Bush signed the ADA into law. In doing so, a legal framework was established to protect people with disabilities from discrimination in employment, ensuring that
buildings and paths of travel are accessible, and working to make sure reasonable accommodations are available.
Each year, with the ADA as a central theme, we approach the celebration from a different angle, emphasizing a topic that is near and dear to our hearts here at The IC. Over the past two years, we’ve focused on Transit and then Progress in the Pikes Peak Region.
This year, our emphasis is on Veterans with disabilities. The military is a huge part of our culture here, which gives a different flavor to Colorado Springs that you just don’t see in most American Cities. At The IC, we work with Veterans with disabilities all the time. I think this is something that most people aren’t aware of. But in reality, Vets make up a significant portion of the people we serve.
In this year’s celebration, several individuals who have been impacted by The IC will share their stories and speak about the
programs that have helped them along the way. In addition, five deserving organizations will receive awards for their contributions to improving the lives of Veterans with disabilities in the Pikes Peak region.
ADA: Celebrating Veterans With Disabilities will be held at Hotel Eleganté on July 26th from 11:45AM to 1:00PM. If you would like more information about the event, visit the official event webpage at http://bit.ly/celebratingvets. If you’re interested in
attending next year’s ADA Celebration, keep an eye on our website in the spring of 2019 and check out our 2018 ADA Celebration photos and video. Under the “Get Involved” drop-down, you’ll find a link for next year’s event and photos and videos from the previous year.