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| Contact: | Judy Neal judy@mcil.org |
| Memphis Center for Independent Living | |
| (901) 726-6404 |
The Spirit of ADA Torch Relay Comes to Memphis on July 11th celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the ADA
| WHAT: | |
|---|---|
| Olympic style torch relay across Memphis | On July 11, Memphis celebrates the arrival of The Spirit of ADA Torch Relay, presented by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and title sponsor Volkswagen of America, Inc. Special activities are planned to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the signing of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 25th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). |
| WHERE: | |
| Starting at the Pyramid and ending at Overton Park | The opening ceremony will begin the day on the steps of the Pyramid where the torch will be presented to Memphis. The torch will tour Downtown and parts of Midtown including highlights such as: Riverside Drive, Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and the Children's Museum of Memphis. The torch will bid Memphis goodbye at the Overton Park shell. |
| WHEN: | |
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July 11, 2000 10:00 a.m Opening Ceremony 4:30 p.m. Overton Park event |
Nancy McFadden, the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Transportation, will be the headline speaker at the opening ceremony.
Memphis will greet the torch at 10:00 a.m. with a brief ceremony led by local radio talk show host Mike Fleming. City Mayor Herrington and county Mayor Route will make an appearance with several other local and state dignitaries in attendance to help welcome the torch of freedom to our city. The local host organization, the Memphis Center for Independent Living will make a presentation to their ADA honorees from the United States Attorney's Office, Harriett Halmon and Gary Vanasek, who have done much to help enforce the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act in Memphis. "Doing it ourselves" is what the ADA is enabling people to do, allowing persons with disabilities the freedom to make choices, find jobs, travel and have access like all Americans. Andy Imperato, the president of American Association of People with Disabilities will bring us greetings and a challenge to "Renew the Pledge" of support for the ADA. |
| BACKGROUND: | |
| Renew the Pledge | The Spirit of ADA Torch Relay launched its 24 city cross-country tour in Houston on June 11th and will conclude in New York City on August 7, 2000. Throughout the relay, activities and events will honor local champions who have helped to further the rights of people with disabilities, both in their own communities and on a national scale. The Spirit of ADA Torch Relay asks Americans to renew the pledge made ten years ago when the ADA was first passed into law and to continue to make our communities accessible to everyone. |
For more information about The Spirit of ADA Torch Relay, supporting events and organizations, please visit the official web site at http://www.spiritofada.org.
News Release:
AAPD CELEBRATES 10th ANNIVERSARY of ADA
The Memphis Center for Independent Living
1633 Madison Avenue,
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 726-6404 v/tty (901) 726-6521 fax
mcil@mcil.org
MCIL is a United Way of the Mid-South member Agency
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