July 26, 2015 marks the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Celebrations of the signing of the ADA by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990 are taking place across the nation. 

 

The ADA and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) give civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. The ADA and ADAAA also assure equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities for access to businesses, employment, transportation, state and local government programs and services, and telecommunications. The ADA Anniversary is a time when we can reflect positively on a law that has made a great impact on the lives of people with disabilities over the past 25 years.

 

The City of Portland's Office of Equity and Human Rights, Portland Commission on Disability (PCOD), and community partners invite you to a series of events celebrating the anniversary. Click here for more information about Portland's events.

On July 19, a community-wide celebration hosted by JFCS and Cedar Sinai Park will take place at Kehillah, located at 6000 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy. Kehillah provides affordable housing for income-qualified adults with developmental disabilities. For more information on the July 19^th celebration click here.

 

An important part of JFCS's mission is to provide adults and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the resources and options they need to make informed choices about living, learning, and working. For information on our Partners For Independence program, contact Stacy Buckley, Program Director, at 503-226-7079, ext. 111 or  stacy@jfcs-portland.org.