Mayor Sylvester Turner to Speak Today About the Houston Based-Advocacy That Led to the ADA
Today, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities (MOPD) and director Gabe Cazares will participate in a virtual celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law barring discrimination against people with physical and mental disabilities.
Virtual ADA Celebration Event Details
When: 2-3:30 p.m. July 26
Where: facebook.com/houstonMOPD/live or register for the Zoom webinar at bit.ly/2Wslo4U
The program theme, Generation ADA: Paving the Road for the Next Thirty Years, reflects the history, Houston-based activism, and collective action that led to that pivotal moment for disability justice.
“I am proud of Houston’s disability community and its diverse and powerful presence and contributions,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “It is a priority of my administration to ensure equal opportunity for disabled people in every aspect of community life. Today’s program is a celebration of disability rights and social change. It is also a celebration of our city and our disabled community.”
Houston, like any other city, certainly has work to do to increase accessibility and inclusion. However, under Mayor Sylvester Turner’s leadership, our city is more committed than ever to ensure that we are building an accessible and resilient city for the future,’ said Gabe Cazares, Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities Director.
The virtual celebration is a collaboration with MOPD, The Houston Center for Independent Living, The Southwest ADA Center, TIRR Memorial Hermann, and the Jewish Family Service (JFS).
In addition to remarks by Mayor Turner, the program will include a keynote interview with Lex Frieden, disability themed music by local performers with disabilities, a special ADA 30 poem by Houston activist Maria R. Palacios and more.