National Industries for the Blind is helping the Committee on Disability Power & Pride celebrate the 20th anniversary of the historic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), with a Gala celebration on July 26, 2010 at the National Press Club (529 14th St., NW), 7 to 11 p.m.
"We are proud to support Disability Power & Pride, including its e-Commerce website, which helps to create jobs for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities," said NIB President and CEO Kevin A. Lynch. "This dovetails with NIB's mission to enhance opportunities for economic and personal independence primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment."
This event follows a White House ceremony commemorating the ADA's enactment. Disability community leaders, champions, advocates and supporters in government, business, the arts, service organizations, academia and the grassroots will join together to celebrate the past and reinvigorate a movement to change the future. This Gala is the capstone event for the anniversary day.
Tony Coelho, Power & Pride Chair, and former Congressman who authored the ADA, said in a news release, "The words in our name -- Disability Power & Pride -- distill decades of dreams and struggles, progress and challenges, and reflect the life work of countless leaders, legislators, advocates, and individuals of all ages, abilities and political affiliations. Difficult work lies ahead to deliver on the ADA's promise, but to succeed we must come together, celebrate who we are, and build our political power."
"Each of our nation's civil rights movements have celebrated and built on hard-won legislative victories by reclaiming its identity and the power of 'differentness.' The same holds true with the disability rights movement. Same Struggle. Different Difference. Power & Pride reflects a coming of age for the disability community," says Jonathan Young, Vice Chair of Power & Pride and Chairman of the National Council on Disability, an independent federal agency that makes policy recommendations to the President and Congress.
Disability Power & Pride is a movement (more than a non-profit organization) that mobilizes all Americans with disabilities, their families, friends and allies, to speak (and sign) with one powerful voice. Information is available at www.mypowerandpride.org. Power & Pride's identity campaign, made possible through the support of National Industries for the Blind (NIB), is being launched in connection with the ADA 20th Anniversary. Visit www.mypowerandpride.com.
Power & Pride is grateful for generous support from its sponsors, led by AT&T. "We are pleased to support a leader in the disability community like Disability Power & Pride," said Cindy Brinkley, AT&T Senior Vice President, Talent Development & Chief Diversity Officer. "Throughout our history, AT&T has operated with the understanding that accessibility is more than a word; it is a commitment – to connecting all people with their worlds. That commitment drives innovation at AT&T; it reminds us to rethink possible — and it will continue to define our company and culture for decades to come."
Other Disability Power & Pride Gala sponsors include Esquire Bank, Unifund, NISH, Wounded Warrior Project, CSC, Bender Consulting, United Cerebral Palsy, Disability Opportunity Fund, Intel, The Arc of the United States, American Association of People with Disabilities and VSA.
