Archives for 2015

• October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a time to celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. The theme for this year — which marks 70 years since the first observance — is “My Disability is One Part of Who I Am.” Learn more at the Office of Disability Employment Policy website.
• MSCOD supports the VSA Minnesota event, “Minnesota Arts Access Chautauqua.” Please consider attending this fine event on Friday-Saturday, September 25-26, 2015 at the Cowles Center for Dance & Performing Arts in Minneapolis.
• Metropolitan Center for Independent Living’s annual event is coming up on October 6 and features Paralympic Athlete and MN native Chuck Aoki as keynote speaker!
• On Oct. 22, AuSM will bring together Minnesota’s top corporate leaders, business professionals, state agencies, and autism advocates for Autism in Business.

• MNBLN Presents: Career Fair with Private and Public Employers, including Resumé Review and Mock Interviews
• MNSCIA Presents: Resource Vendor Fair with Private and Public Resource Organizations
• Minnesota State Council on Disability (MSCOD) Breakout Sessions
• 25th Anniversary of the ADA Celebration Recap
• Artists & Performers with Disabilities
• tpt Live broadcast statewide Brown Bag Lunch featuring U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, Minnesota Policy Makers, Minnesota Employers, Minnesota Job Seekers and Employees.
• Statewide Employment Dialogue
• Q&A with U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and Featured Employers

Family day Celebration at the Minnesota History Center

345 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102

Sunday, July 26, 2015
12 Noon – 4 PM
Free and Open to the Public

Entertainment & Activities

On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure the civil rights of people with disabilities. This legislation established a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities. On July 26, 2015, we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the ADA.

The ADA has expanded opportunities for Americans with disabilities by reducing barriers and changing perceptions, and increasing full participation in community life. However, the full promise of the ADA will only be reached if we remain committed to continue our efforts to fully implement the ADA.

To commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the ADA, the Great Lakes ADA Center wants to learn how the Americans with Disabilities Act impacted the lives of people with disabilities and their family/friends. Please click on the following link to finish this statement

BECAUSE OF THE ADA…

Please consider participating in the ADA impact survey at: https://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/12291g568bd!

Lex Frieden, the legendary key author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, needs help evaluating the impact of the landmark civil rights law.

Frieden, and the organization he works with, Independent Living Research Utilization, ILRU, have developed a 10-minute online survey. It collects the opinions of people with disabilities, advocates and interested parties nationwide in preparation for the 25th anniversary of the law’s signing.

According to ILRU, “The information gathered from this survey will help us 1) understand what aspects of society have become more accessible due to the ADA; 2) understand what areas of society still require further investigation and proposed solutions; and 3) to develop and improve the information, support, and guidance needed to help further the goals of the ADA. These findings will also provide the foundation for further research on the ADA and its impact on people with disabilities.”

They have received hundreds of responses, but they are urging more people all over the US to take the survey, particularly those in Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Puerto Rico.

Throughout the year and on the ADA Anniversary – July 26, celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in your workplaces, schools and communities. While much progress has been made, much remains to be done.

Explore the ADA Anniversary Tool Kit  at http://adaanniversary.org/