JEFFERSON CITY - The Governor’s Council on Disability will host an event to commemorate the 25-year anniversary of the historic passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The event, Hands Around the Capitol, will take place at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City on Tuesday, October 6 at 12:00 p.m. and will also be a celebration of employment and youth involvement with Americans with disabilities.
“The ADA prohibits discrimination against all individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, public service and public accommodations, promoting full participation and inclusion.” said Robert Honan, Governor’s Council on Disability Executive Director. “Hands Around the Capitol will be an incredible way for all of us to come together and show our support for the ADA and the nearly one million Missourians with disabilities.”
Hands Around the Capitol will begin on the south lawn of the Capitol with a welcome by Robert Honan with the Governor’s Council on Disability, followed by keynote speakers: State Treasurer Clint Zweifel; Associate Director of Great Plains ADA and former Senator Chuck Graham; Opeoluwa Satonwa with the Missouri Commission for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing; and Daniel Anderson and Matthew Pearl from the 2015 Missouri Youth Leadership Forum.
Upon conclusion of the ceremony, participants will surround the Missouri State Capitol Building and join hands in celebration of this milestone. The Governor’s Council on Disability invites all Missourians to attend this momentous event.
"In the course of the civil rights movement, disability rights have been in the forefront of modern progress,” said Daniel Andersen, delegate to the 2015 Youth Leadership Forum. “Although disability rights have progressed tremendously with the introduction of the ADA, we, as the rising generation, must remember that we must take action to ensure that progress continues.”
In the event of inclement weather the opening ceremony will be held in the Capitol Rotunda. To learn more about Hands Around the Capitol, contact the Governor’s Council on Disability at 573-751-2600 or visit disability.mo.gov.