Madison Heights celebrates Americans with Disabilities Act Day with ADA Pride on July 13
(MISILC, June 25, 2024)
MADISON HEIGHTS — On July 13, 2024, community members and stakeholders will celebrate the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Enacted into law in 1990, the ADA protected the rights of people with disabilities and made our community more accessible to everyone.
People with disabilities and their allies will be showing off their ADA pride at Civic Center Park in Madison Heights. This family-friendly event is hosted by the Michigan Independent Living Council (MISILC), the City of Madison Heights Arts Commission, the Madison Heights Human Relations and Equity Commission, and the Eastern Michigan Disability Network. The event will feature live music, art activities, disability-friendly yard play, food trucks, and more.
“We still have a lot of work to do to make our society more accessible to all,” says Jamia Davis, executive chair and council member of MISILC, “but the ADA has helped address challenges that many people with disabilities face, like accessing and using public restrooms and public transportation — the kinds of things that many people without disabilities take for granted. The ADA has really helped shine a light on those inequities.”
“This is such a fun event,” said Madison Heights City Council Member Emily Rohrbach, who serves as the alternate city council representative for the Human Rights and Equality Committee. “The key to progress is the awareness that events like our annual ADA Day Celebration bring, and we encourage community members to come and experience this fun celebration of our truly diverse community.”
Classical violinist Julia Ragland, originally from Grand Rapids, will be the featured musician for the event. Ragland is a member of Recording Artists and the Association of Music Professionals with Disabilities (RAMPD) and a student at the world-renowned New England Conservatory. She has won numerous awards and performed solo with orchestras across the country. As an arts leader and disability advocate, Ragland hopes to promote classical music and create a more accessible future.
The event will also feature gourmet grilled wraps provided by The Grilled Wrap food truck from Hazel Park and ice cream provided by Treat Dreams from Ferndale.
Partners for the event include MI Alliance for Families, Play-Place Autism & Special Needs Center, Transportation Riders United, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Disability Rights Michigan, Autism Alliance of Michigan, Disability Law Group, Fair Housing Center of Metro Detroit and Michigan Disability Rights Coalition.
The ADA Pride Celebration will be held at Madison Heights Civic Center Park (360 W 13 Mile Road) from 1-4pm on Saturday, July 13. For more information, visit https://www.misilc.org/adapride2024.
MISILC is an outreach organization that, with input from residents and stakeholders, is developing a State Independent Living Plan that outlines disability-related goals and objectives for Michigan. The Eastern Michigan Disability Network and other independent living centers provide information and referral services, education, recreational and social opportunities to people with disabilities in the area. They are pleased to partner with the City of Madison Heights on this event to raise awareness and celebrate disability pride.
