On Thursday, the Hilton Raleigh North Hills will host a landmark celebration marking the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as announced by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). The event, scheduled to commence at 10 a.m., is set to feature an array of presentations and panel discussions with key leaders and individuals sharing their lived experiences. The discussions will span a range of topics, including essential services, community access, employment services, assistive technology, and the North Carolina Olmstead Plan. According to the NCDHHS press release, American Sign Language interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services will be available to ensure accessibility at the event.
Noteworthy figures such as Chris Egan, Assistant Secretary for Employment and Community Access at NCDHHS, and Deb Goda, Olmstead Director at NCDHHS, will participate in the celebration, among other distinguished guests and speakers. Kelly Crosbie, Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services at NCDHHS, Kenneth Kelty, writer and host of The Waiting Room Podcast, and Brittny Zenere, Director of Operations at the Alliance of Disability Advocates will also lend their perspectives to the event. Moreover, Kathie Smith, Patrick Williams, Natalie Flores, Tony Davis, and, John Samuels will join as well, bolstering the conversation with their expertise and experiences in services for people with disabilities.
The ADA, a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability, has played a significant role in leveling the playing field for millions of Americans since its inception in 1990. The anniversary event will serve not only as a commemoration of the progress achieved over the past 35 years but also as a platform to discuss future advancements and ongoing challenges faced by the disability community. The NCDHHS underscores the importance of dialogue and collaboration in fostering an inclusive society where people with disabilities can thrive…