Article Photos

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) turned 20 on Monday.

In honor of the occasion, Community Resources for Independence (CRI) hosted a celebration.

Among those speaking was Greg Staub, CRI assistive technology resource coordinator.

He remembers July 26, 1990. Some of the people with disabilities that he had been able to help over the years had made him a gracious invitation.

"I was one of the fortunate ones on the White House lawn as the president signed the ADA," he said. "I was honored to be there 20 years ago and I'm honored to be here today."

He said the ADA has allowed great strides for people with disabilities.

"We all care," he said. "We may have loved ones with disabilities... one day it could be us. Where would we like to be?"

Staub is an assistive technology representative for 10 northwestern Pennsylvania counties and through the years has been "honored to help use" his passion for assistive technology to help make better homes and workplaces - "things we all take for granted" - for people with disabilities.

State Rep. Kathy Rapp expressed her appreciation for the gains made under ADA over the years.

"This truly is a day of celebration," she said. "The ADA is one of the most important pieces of legislation passed by the federal government."

She said having laws and rights is not enough. "We have to exercise these rights to open the doors to these opportunities," Rapp said. "There's been a lot of progress from 20 years ago."

CRI's Chuck Giambrone gave statistics outlining some of the progress of the past 10 years.

Unemployment for "people with severe significant disabilities" was 82 percent in 2000, he said.

Now, that number is between 69 percent and 75 percent depending on the study.

He looks to companies to "take that next step and hire more persons with disabilities" and to get the unemployment down to 50 percent" or lower.

"I'd like to say thank you to the folks of Warren," he said. "You've made great strides."

Giambrone said amusement parks, hotels, and recreation are the current leaders in increasing opportunities for people with disabilities.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives declared the week of July 25 through 31 as "ADA Week."

The state Senate recognized July 26 as the 20th anniversary of the ADA and urged "all residents to take time to note the contributions made by disabled individuals to our communities."

Center for Independent Living Case Manager Beverly Davis-Migliaccio read a proclamation by Gov. Ed Rendell. He declared July 26 the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and "do hereby reaffirm a commitment to work toward full ADA compliance in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."