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November 15th - the "Road to Freedom" returns to Washington DC
Read more here and also the Road to Freedom website.
Thanks for making Cleveland one of your final stops!
The ADA "Road to Freedom" Bus Tour Stops at Trinity Cathedral!
On October 20, we celebrated the ADA with the "Road to Freedom" bus!
The bus journey began on November 15th, 2006 in Washington DC and has been mobilizing audiences across the United States to help keep the promises made with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Historical photographs by Tom Olin of the struggle for disability rights, and a grassroots narrative of the ADA written by Arlene Mayerson was displayed.
Road to Freedom exhibits were displayed throughout the Rotunda and the hallways. Also included were exhibits from local agencies and a "Fun Corner" hosted by Art Therapy students from Cuyahoga Community College and a group of energetic volunteers.
The program began at 11:00 with statements from Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman (Ward 13) and from Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones. Congresswomen Betty Sutton and Stephanie Tubbs Jones sent representatives to bring greetings to the group. Also speaking was Jim Ward, the man who originated the idea of the Road to Freedom bus and who has been traveling the country with his family on the ADA bus for close to a year.
Helping us celebrate with their art were two Cleveland disability icons, Jeff Moyer and Mary Verdi-Fletcher with Dancing Wheels. Jeff Moyer has been a singer, songwriter, public speaker, and advocate for human rights for over 35 years. He performed his "ADA Anthem," a tribute to Justin Dart Jr. who is considered to be the father of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Dancing Wheels has been performing integrated dance since 1980, and four of their dancers were available to perform Saturday morning.
Go to the Road to Freedom website for more information and to become involved by signing a petition supporting the "ADA Restoration Act." Continue working with our DD Council Center for Public Policy to reach the goal of full inclusion for people with disabilities. To get involved, you can contact Deborah Nebel at 216-696-2716 x106 or dnebel@leapinfo.org.
Thanks to Frank Anderson of the Paralyzed Veterans of America Buckeye Chapter for serving as Master of Ceremonies and to Deborah Nebel for helping to coordinate this event.
Made possible by:
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Board of Cuyahoga County Commissioners (HR) and the Commissioner’s Advisory Committee on Persons with Disabilities
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Catholic Charities Health & Human Services
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Center for Mental Retardation, the ARC of Cuyahoga County
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Cleveland Sight Center
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Council on Older Persons
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Cuyahoga Community College
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Deaf & Deaf-Blind Committee on Human Rights
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Easter Seals Northern Ohio
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Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland & East Central Ohio
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Linking Employment, Abilities & Potential
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Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
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May Dugan Multi-Service Center
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Northeast Ohio Chapter of the American Constitution Society
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Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council’s Center for Public Policy at LEAP
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Organize! Ohio
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Paralyzed Veterans of America Buckeye Chapter
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Services for Independent Living, Inc.
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Vocational Guidance Services
(as of 10/18/07)
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LEAP's Public Policy & Advocacy work is funded in part through a grant by the 