[Nfbf-l] Fw: DOJ's Multi-Day Commemoration of the ADA

[Carlos J MontasAS]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Cantos, Ollie (CRT) 
Sent: Monday, July 26, 2010 4:26 PM
Subject: DOJ's Multi-Day Commemoration of the ADA


Happy Anniversary to all of us as we individually and collectively celebrate the signing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which became the law of the land 20 years ago today!

 

In commemoration of this auspicious occasion, last Wednesday, July 21, Attorney General Eric Holder spoke at the "Justice For All" event hosted by the American Association of People with Disabilities, which took place on Capitol Hill (see http://www.justice.gov/ag/speeches/2010/ag-speech-100721.html).  The following day, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Thomas E. Perez joined former Attorney General Richard Thornburgh and former Congressman Tony Coelho in testifying on Capitol Hill about both the strides that have been made over the past 20 years and how far we still need to go (see http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/statement-of-assistant-attorney-general-for-the-civil-rights-division-thomas-e-perez-at-a-hearing-on-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-99044789.html).  On Friday, July 23, Attorney General Holder hosted an event in the Great Hall of the U.S. Department of Justice and at which former Attorney General Thornburgh and former Congressman Coelho provided inspirational and insightful remarks; and, following their keynote presentations were remarks from some of the key pioneering champions who each contributed indelibly to the ADA's ultimate passage and signing into law by President George H. W. Bush (archived video available by July 30 at http://www.ada.gov/2010adacelebration/ada20webcastinfo.htm).  That same day, the Department announced four notices of proposed rulemaking, "addressing the accessibility of websites, the provision of captioning and video description in movies shown in theaters, accessible equipment and furniture, and the ability of 9-1-1 centers to take text and video calls from individuals with disabilities (see http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/July/10-crt-850.html)."

 

Tonight, the celebration continues.  At 5:30 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, President Barack Obama will address the Nation from the White House. To view this event live, visit:

 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/live.  

 

Let us all rededicate ourselves to the work of this great cause.  As we do, building upon the victories of the past, we will create a more inclusive world for all, free from the physical, programmatic, and attitudinal barriers to full community participation!