In a collaborative effort, 15 local organizations have arranged for an ADA Legacy Tour Bus stop in Mid-Missouri to create awareness and celebrate the 25thanniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This tour is one in a series of monthly events the group has planned to create excitement for ADA25. The Legacy Bus Tour is part of the ADA Legacy Project to “Preserve the Past, Celebrate the Present and Educate the Future”. The Tour includes:
The “Road to Freedom” ADA Bus – which traveled to 48 states in 2007 to raise support for the ADA Amendments Act – courtesy of the Disability Rights Center and driven by veteran disability rights photographer, Tom Olin;- A four-panel display on the history of self-advocacy, courtesy of the Museum of disABILITY History;
- Displays on The ADA Legacy Project and its effort to preserve of disability history; celebrate disability history milestones; and educate future generations of disability advocates;
- A “Because of the ADA . . .” booth where you can post your thoughts and photos to illustrate the difference the ADA has made in your life;
- The ADA quilt – add your signature to thousands of others who have participated in the Tour;
- Displays on the history of the Road to Freedom Tour;
- An information table with handouts on The ADA Legacy Project and the ADA, plus information from our partners and sponsors; and
- Events, workshops, artifacts, and other programming provided by local hosts.
Admission is free and open to the public. The Legacy Bus will be in Columbia on Monday, March 30, at the Activity and Recreation Center (ARC), 1701 W Ash Street from 9:00 am – 11:30 am. A Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting will kick off the event at 9:00 am. The Bus will then move to Speaker’s Circle on the University of Missouri Campus from 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm. At 2:00 pm, “Allies for Access” will coordinate a group photo in front of the Bus at Speaker’s Circle.
On Tuesday, March 31, the Bus will travel to Jefferson City and park at the State Capitol from 10 am – 4:00 pm. This stop is in conjunction with Tuesday as Missouri’s Disabilities Rights Legislative Day. The Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce will perform a ribbon cutting by at 10:30 am.
Organizations working in partnership to mark the ADA anniversary include: Alternative Community Training, Boone County Family Resources, Central Missouri Regional Office, City of Columbia, Columbia Disabilities Coalition, Columbia Public Schools, Great Plains ADA Center, Job Point, People First of Boone County, Services for Independent Living, TIPS for Kids, United Access, University of Missouri Disability Center, University of Missouri Equity Office and Woodhaven.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became a civil rights law in 1990, prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to ensure people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA is divided into five titles (or sections) that relate to different areas of public life: Title I – Employment, Title II – State and Local Government, Title III – Public Accommodations, Title IV – Telecommunications, Title V – Miscellaneous Provisions.
For more information or additional details, please contact Heather Stewart, Chair of the 25th Anniversary ADA Columbia Planning Committee at 573-874-1646 or email [email protected].
I was able to see the bus and visit with Tom Olin at Atlantis in Denver. Great time and good exhibits. I won’t be able to be in Columbia, due to that inconvenience loving known as “my job.”