MSCOD ONE SHEET
The Minnesota State Council on Disability (MSCOD) and the Minnesota disability community are planning events and activities to recognize the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). President George H. W. Bush signed the ADA into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability. It also establishes standards for accessibility and accommodation in public spaces and in the workplace. The playing field has been leveled for millions of Americans by this historic civil rights legislation.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2015 CELEBRATION TO INCLUDE
THE ADA AND EMPLOYMENT: SURVEY
As part of the 25th Anniversary of the ADA, MSCOD is conducting an employment survey. The survey seeks the opinions of persons with disabilities who are employed or seeking work and employers. The survey measures the impact of the ADA on hiring practices and work opportunities. It also gauges people’s understanding of the ADA. The results will be public and available at 25th ADA Celebration.
FAMILY DAY
The Minnesota disability community and MSCOD are hosting a Family Day at the Minnesota History Center on July 26. The free event runs from noon to 4 pm. It will feature interactive art exhibits, live entertainment, speakers, and clips from The ADA at 25: Disability Rights in MN, a documentary film produced by Twin Cities Public Television (tpt) that explores Minnesota’s unique contribution to the passing of this historic civil rights law.
tpt PARTNERSHIP
SHORT WHITEBOARD VIDEO ESSAY BY tpt JOURNALIST DAVID GILLETTE
In partnership with tpt and MSCOD, David Gillette has created a short video essay to commemorate the ADA titled, “Celebrate 25 Years of the ADA.” The video whiteboard essay highlights the impact of the ADA on the everyday lives of persons with disabilities and the obstacles they face in the workplace. The video can be viewed here: 25th ADA Celebration, and is available to local media.
DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE
MSCOD has partnered with tpt to produce a 30-minute documentary highlighting the impact the ADA has on Minnesotans with disabilities. The piece will focus on the civil rights struggle Minnesotans faced leading up the passage of the ADA and will explore where the community believes the ADA needs to go in the next 25 years. It will air for the first time at 8 p.m. on the evening of July 26 on tpt, with additional re-broadcast dates to follow.
STATEWIDE CONFERENCE: ADA at 25 – MINNESOTA MOVING FORWARD
MSCOD invites every employer in the state to a Brown Bag lunch and televised discussion during their ADA themed conference on October 28, 2015. Recruiting, hiring, promoting and retaining employees with disabilities are the discussion topics. The free conference, held at the Minneapolis Convention Center, will feature a career fair for people with disabilities. Registration and schedule information for the conference is found at 25th ADA Celebration.
The ADA celebration is made possible in part by a grant from the Art and Cultural Heritage Fund. The Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants Program has been made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008. Administered by the Minnesota Historical Society.
It takes many people to make a celebration of this caliber happen. We proudly acknowledge the contribution of time and financial support of the MN disability community – its people and organizations – state agencies, local foundations, businesses and corporations. Find a full list of our partners.
Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may contact us via their preferred Telecommunications Relay Service.
