ADA Awareness Day in Dallas, Texas

ADA Awareness Day Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act Local architects, disability advocates and City officials are collaborating to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) civil rights law.  The Act was signed into law by George Bush on July 26, 1990.  July 26. 2010 has been proclaimed by Mayor Tom Leppert as ADA Awareness day in the City of Dallas and ADA Celebration Day by Mayor Phil Dyer in the City of Plano . Sponsored by HERO                    FRIEND                    IN-KIND                                                                  ORGANIZERS                                                    Proclamation Announcement with Kent Waldrep Keynote speaker 10:00 Dallas City Hall Kent Waldrep will honor us with his participation as our Kick-off speaker to the ADA Awareness Day in Dallas.  He will speak at the Dallas City Hall at 10:00 a.m. on July 26th 2010.  His inspiring journey will give us an idea of how the ADA has benefited our country and the disabled community. DARS will also be present to discuss what services they provide to the disabled community. This event is open to the public. For more information contact Marcela Abadi Rhoads at 214-403-8714 or marhoads@abadiaccess.com Tour of The Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind 12:00 at 4306 Capitol Avenue, Dallas, 75204  Founded in 1931, the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind, a George Dahl architect designed historic building, focuses on improving and enhancing the lives and opportunities of the visually impaired in North Texas.  Their guiding principle is the belief that with knowledge, training and motivation, people who are visually impaired can succeed and thrive in any workplace, live productive and meaningful lives, and be important contributors to their communities. By providing jobs, job training and offering community services, the Lighthouse strives to empower and encourage its clients toward living independently.  The Lighthouse's Industrial and Sewing Centers, where more than 150 people are employed, and the Technology Lab, which offers adaptive business skills training to provide enhanced upward mobility opportunities for employment in a variety of office environments,  will be in full operation for this 30-minute guided tour.  Find out how the Lighthouse is making a real difference in our community and how you can help.   This tour is open to the general public, and reservations are not required, but a response to ensure your space on the tour would be appreciated. For additional information, call Jo Baker at 214-821-2375, ext. 116. Texas Discovery Gardens: A Case Study  6:00 p.m. At the Texas Discovery Gardens in Fair Park Texas Discovery Gardens, a butterfly exhibit at Fair Park, was renovated by Oglesby Greene Architects.  The original building is historic from the 1936 Centennial Exposition, as the House of Horticulture.  What is now the Butterfly House was originally a conservatory.  An addition was completed in 1971.  The historic building was not originally accessible and with the remodel it was updated to meet the State and Federal requirements in a very sensitive and effective way.   The tour will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be led by the project architect and accessibility inspector.  This tour will be $10 for AIA and TRASA member and $20 for non-members and it is worth one hour of barrier free HSW CEU.  RSVP to the AIA since there is a limited number of spots. Please RSVP to the AIA at 214.742.3242 or info@aiadallas.org City of Plano Council Meeting and Proclamation Announcement 7:00 p.m. at the City of Plano Council Chamber City of Plano joins communities across the country in recognizing the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act into legislation. The City is proclaiming July 26 as an annual ADA Celebration Day in the City of Plano. The Honorable Mayor Phil Dyer will present the proclamation during the regular city council meeting on Monday, July 26.  Kent Waldrep will be a distinguished guest partaking in the proclamation event. Plano Proclamation Presentation Monday, July 26, 7 p.m. Plano Municipal Center, 1520 K Avenue Plano, Texas 75023 Sponsorship opportunities still available. Our hope is to explore the effect of the act on the built environment as well as those whose lives have been enhanced by improved access to jobs, education, recreation, services and goods previously denied them by physical barriers or discrimination.  This is a day for awareness and for celebration of the elimination of architectural and cultural barriers in our society