ADA Anniversary Rally Rocks Cleveland's Mall A
When the occasion is truly important, LEAP knows how to celebrate. Really celebrate. (View photos of the event.)
 To mark the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, LEAP and its community partners hosted a noon rally on Mall A complete with civic proclamations, a performance by a deaf choir, a poetry reading, and a balloon release. Then the party moved to the Marriott hotel across the street for a luncheon, a series of educational panel discussions, a performance by the Dancing Wheels troupe, and birthday cake.
Master of Ceremonies “Trapper Jack” Elliot, of radio station WDOK-FM, welcomed the crowd. As television cameras rolled, Boy Scout Troop 338 of Avon Lake and Co-ed Venture Crew 550 presented the American flag. After all in attendance had recited the Pledge of Allegiance, the ceremonial flag--which had flown over the U.S. Capitol on July 4 and at the request of Senator George Voinovich--was given to the City of Cleveland.
 The St. Augustine Deaf Choir signed to an audio performance of Jeff Moyer’s “ADA Anthem,” and then Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson spoke before presenting a mayoral proclamation in support of the ADA to Deborah Nebel, LEAP’s director of public policy. Nebel was the organizing force behind the day’s events. Nebel also received an ADA Resolution presented by Councilman Kevin Conwell on behalf on the Cleveland City Council.Poet and advocate Orene Anthony gave a moving reading of her work, “Turning Twenty: The ADA Grows Up,” which was commissioned by LEAP for the event.
The outdoor festivities concluded with an encore performance of Glee Crew’s “Don’t Stop Believing” by the St. Augustine Deaf Choir, a benediction by the Rev. Tony Minor of Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, and a balloon release.
Then everyone moved gratefully out of the heat and into an air-conditioned ballroom in the Marriott, where lunch was served as the Honorable Peter M. Sikora welcomed guests and a video greeting from Governor Ted Strickland was presented.
Two panel discussions presented the history of the disability rights movement and the business case for hiring people with disabilities.
“The Path to Civil Rights for Persons with Disabilities: Our Past and Our Future” was moderated by LEAP Executive Director Melanie Hogan and included panelists Mary Verdi-Fletcher, Steven Kyman, the Honorable Peter M. Sikora, Alice Sporar, and William Turner.
“The ADA: It’s Good Business” was moderated by Martin T. Wymer, Esq., of Baker Hostetler LLP, and featured panelists Dan Connors of Ohio Rehabilitation Services, BVSI; Sterling Kassoff of Mr. Magic Car Wash & Detail Center, and Lisa Lane of Marriott International.
 The afternoon concluded with birthday cake and entertainment by the Dancing Wheels Company, a physically integrated dance company, and members of the national championship Wheelchair Cavaliers.
LEAP thanks the following organizers and sponsors
that helped make the event a success.
Achievement Centers for Children
AmRamp
Board of Cuyahoga County Commissioners Advisory
Committee for People with Disabilities
Catholic Charities Disability Services and Ministry
City of Cleveland
Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center
Cleveland Sight Center
Cleveland State University Office of Disability
Cornucopia, Inc.
Cuyahoga county Board of Developmental Disabilities
Easter Seals
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
KeyBank
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
Maximum Accessible Housing of Ohio
Medical Mutual of Ohio
Muscular Dystrophy Association
New Avenues to Independence, Inc.
Ohio Developmental Disability Council's
Center for Public Policy at LEAP
Paralyzed Veterans of America-Buckeye Chapter
Rose Mary Center
Services for Independent Living, Inc.
United Cerebral Palsy
Vocational Guidance Services
Welcome House, Inc.
Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
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