7/10/2000

Judy Neal
(901) 726-6404

AAPD CELEBRATES 10th ANNIVERSARY of ADA WITH 24-CITY TORCH RELAY

(MEMPHIS)The torch comes to Memphis July 11th

Barbara Bounds, from the Memphis area, was at the signing of the ADA: July 26, 1990. Before a Memphis Redbirds game she holds aloft the "Spirit of the ADA Torch," that will be carried through the streets of Memphis. Sandi Klink, the Local Coordinator of the Spirit of the ADA relay stands beside Barbara.

Today the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) 24-city, cross-country torch will pass through Memphis Tennessee to mark the 10th anniversary of the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The Spirit of ADA Torch Relay 2000 challenges Americans to renew the pledge they made 10 years ago when the ADA was first passed into law. The relay, sponsored by Volkswagen of America, Inc., will began in Houston, TX on June 11 and end in New York City on August 7, 2000.

Nancy McFadden, the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Transportation, will speak at the opening ceremony where the torch will be passed to Memphis, 10 a.m. at the Pyramid. She has handled complex, high profile matters for the D.O.T., including crisis management in the wake of tragedies of Valuejet and TWA 800. Ms. McFadden has overseen the significant regulatory task of implementing new accessibility requirements for Over-the-Road-Buses. Memphis civil rights activists have fought many years for accessible intercity, "Greyhound Style" buses [Link to more information on bus access in Memphis].

The goal of The Spirit of ADA Torch Relay is to reach out to adults, children and communities in an effort to connect, inform, educate and involve the 56 million Americans living with disabilities. As we move into the new century, the relay will also further efforts for equality heighten awareness of the ADA and educate Americans about the disability community. The host organization, AAPD, is a national membership organization founded in 1995 to promote the political and economic empowerment of people with disabilities in the U. S.

"All of us, both here in America and throughout the world, have benefited from the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities, " said Andrew J. Imparato, CEO of the AAPD. "The Spirit of ADA Torch Relay gives us all the opportunity to reflect on the progress that has been made over the past 10 years, and renew our commitment to an America that works for everyone."

The Spirit of ADA Torch Relay will be accompanied from city to city by a caravan of 11 Volkswagen vehicles, several of which will be retrofitted for use by disabled participants. In each city along the route, local disability community members will share the carrying of the torch.

The relay will make stops in major cities across the U.S. including: Houston, Austin, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Topeka, St. Louis, Madison, Chicago, Memphis, Jackson Mississippi, Montgomery, Tallahassee, Warm Springs, Atlanta, Columbia, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Auburn Hills/Detroit, Boston and New York City.

The Volkswagen Foundation, established in 1999, donated more than $500,000 in 1999 to support initial preparations for The Spirit of ADA Torch Relay 2000, and the additional $500,000 has been donated for 2000 to execute the campaign's programs. Volkswagen is also supporting The Spirit of ADA Torch Relay 2000 by donating cars for the torch relay caravan, 30 silver torches for the cross-country relay, and providing general support for AAPD efforts.

"Volkswagen's Mobility Access Program is committed to retrofitting its cars and vans," commented Steve Keyes, Director of Corporate Communications for Volkswagen of America, Inc. "We feel this is a terrific opportunity for Volkswagen to partner with the AAPD to take an additional step toward improving the lives of many of our customers."

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG. Volkswagen is among the largest automakers in the world and Europe's number one seller. The Volkswagen Group currently accounts for approximately 11 percent of the world car market. It markets a full line of Volkswagen vehicles through a network of about 600 Volkswagen dealers. In the United States, Volkswagen has sold more than 10.6 million cars and is the top-selling European importer. Volkswagen of America imports cars from company plants in Germany and Mexico through port operations in San Diego, Calif., Boston, Mass., Wilmington, Del., Brunswick, Ga., and Houston, Texas.