Center for Disability Rights in West Haven to host meeting about transit services

My husband, Ralph, and I are longtime members of the Center for Disability Rights in West Haven. Its service area includes the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 

Sharing from its website: "The Center for Disability Rights advocates for people with disabilities and their issues on a local, state-wide, and national level. 
"We also provide services to individuals and their families, as well as technical assistance and community education to businesses, government, and members of the community."

25th anniversary of ADA marked at Bodie's Place in Milford

Part of the accessible playground at Eisenhower Park.

MILFORD - Sunday's weather was picture perfect for a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

The free event was the last of a series of three sponsored by The Americans with Disabilities Act Coalition of Connecticut.

The celebration, which was open to the public, was held at Bodie's Place at Eisenhower Park on North Street. It featured family fun, face painting, live music, a demonstration of wheelchair tennis, pizza, and anniversary cake.

Folk singer Robert Messore performed songs for the younger set.

A view of the play area that is geared toward older children.

Former President George H. W. Bush signed the ADA into law in 1990.

The landmark legislation prohibits discrimination against the disabled and affords them the same opportunities available to those who are not living with a disability. 

Organizations that collaborated to create the ADA anniversary celebrations included the West Haven-based Center for Disability Rights-CT, West Haven Community House's Community Connections, City of West Haven, City of Milford and Concerned Citizens for People with Disabilities, Inc. Agency on Aging and Bodie's Place of Milford. 

Congratulations to all the organizations on a successful event!

Family event at park in Milford to mark ADA's 25th anniversary

Bodie's Place, 725 North St., Milford / Photo from organization's website

MILFORD - Bodie’s Place at Eisenhower Park is the place to be Aug. 9 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Bodie’s Place is an accessible, community playground located in the park at 725 North St.

The family-friendly, fun event will run from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

It will feature entertainment by folk guitarist Robert Messore from 10:30 a.m.-noon. He will entertain children with sing-along songs. 

There also will be a demonstration of wheelchair tennis from 10:30-11:30 a.m., face painting, animal balloons, and refreshments.

For information, contact Lisa Vaccino, 203-876-7427 or Carmen Correa, 203-934-7077.

The celebration is sponsored by the Americans with Disabilities Act Coalition of Connecticut (ADACC). It will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

The ADA was signed into law in 1990 by former President George H.W. Bush.

The landmark legislation prohibits discrimination against the disabled and affords them the same opportunities available to those who are not living with a disability.

The West Haven-based Center for Disability Rights-CT is one of the event’s collaborators. 

Marc Anthony Gallucci, CDR executive director, said, “This 25th anniversary is a great opportunity to celebrate the positive impact that the Americans with Disabilities Act has had in the lives of millions of persons with disabilities.”

In addition to CDR the following collaborators are working to make the event a success: West Haven Community House’s Community Connections, City of West Haven, City of Milford & Concerned Citizens for People with Disabilities, Inc., Agency on Aging, and Bodie’s Place of Milford.


Note: My husband and I are members of the Center for Disability Rights in West Haven. The organization's catchment area includes the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 

25th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act celebrated in West Haven

West Haven Mayor Edward M. O'Brien, standing fourth from left, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the ADA Thursday with staff and members of the Center for Disability Rights and the West Haven Community House. The event at Savin Rock Conference Center featured a picnic, adaptive bicycle demonstrations, and live entertainment. 

Reminder: ADA anniversary celebration is today in West Haven

WEST HAVEN - Today is the day for a flag-raising ceremony and celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The event starts at 5 p.m. at Savin Rock Conference Center, 6 Rock St.

It is sponsored by the Americans with Disabilities Act Coalition of Connecticut (ADACC). 

The ADA was signed into law in 1990 by former President George H.W. Bush.

The landmark legislation prohibits discrimination against the disabled and affords them the same opportunities available to those who are not living with a disability. 

Mayor Edward M. O’Brien will read a proclamation and participate in a flag-raising ceremony at 6:30 p.m. outside the conference center.

O’Brien said, “One in five people in the United States has disabilities and that number is constantly increasing from age, accidents, or even combat.

“As a result, the Americans with Disabilities Act is ever more important. It was passed almost unanimously by Congress and signed by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. Today marks 25 years commemorating the rights established for disabled individuals providing them with everything from transportation, communication, medical diagnostic equipment and information technology. It pleases me to see that such an effective act is still in existence today.”

Marc Anthony Gallucci, executive director, Center for Disability Rights, also will speak at the event. 

He said, “This 25th anniversary is a great opportunity to celebrate the positive impact that the Americans with Disabilities Act has had in the lives of millions of persons with disabilities.”

Keri McLaughlin, program manager, Community Connections, part of the nonprofit West Haven Community House, said the ADA “has been a tremendous help” to her clients in getting a job and maintaining it. 

She said after ADA was enacted society has shown more “tolerance and acceptance” of those with disabilities. 

The West Haven Community House website says the organization

“exists to facilitate healthy, productive, independent and meaningful lives for children, adolescents and families, and individuals with disabilities.”

Thursday’s festivities will include an interactive educational exhibit about the ADA, and members of the public will get a chance to try out an adaptive, recumbent bicycle, Gallucci said. 

An acoustic duo will entertain from 5-7 p.m., followed by a rock band performing from 7-8 p.m., he said.

There will be balloons for children and Gallucci said the public is invited to celebrate and enjoy anniversary cake with CDR staff and members and event collaborators.

In addition to CDR the following collaborators are working to make the event a success: West Haven Community House’s Community Connections, City of West Haven, City of Milford & Concerned Citizens for People with Disabilities, Inc., Agency on Aging, and Bodie’s Place of Milford.

Ceremony in West Haven to mark 25th anniversary of ADA

WEST HAVEN - Disability rights are civil rights, and the Americans with Disabilities Rights Act allows people with disabilities to participate in all of society.

The 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act will be the focus of a celebration starting at 5 p.m. Thursday (July 23) at Savin Rock Conference Center.

The event is sponsored by the Americans with Disabilities Act Coalition of Connecticut (ADACC). 

The ADA was signed into law in 1990 by former President George H.W. Bush.

The landmark legislation prohibits discrimination against the disabled and affords them the same opportunities available to those who are not living with a disability. 

Mayor Edward M. O’Brien will read a proclamation and participate in a flag-raising ceremony at 6:30 p.m. outside the conference center, 6 Rock St.

O’Brien said, “One in five people in the United States has disabilities and that number is constantly increasing from age, accidents, or even combat.

“As a result, the Americans with Disabilities Act is ever more important. It was passed almost unanimously by Congress and signed by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. Today marks 25 years commemorating the rights established for disabled individuals providing them with everything from transportation, communication, medical diagnostic equipment and information technology. It pleases me to see that such an effective act is still in existence today.”

Marc Anthony Gallucci, executive director, Center for Disability Rights, also will speak at the event. 

He said, “This 25th anniversary is a great opportunity to celebrate the positive impact that the Americans with Disabilities Act has had in the lives of millions of persons with disabilities.”

Keri McLaughlin, program manager, Community Connections, part of the nonprofit West Haven Community House, said the ADA “has been a tremendous help” to her clients in getting a job and maintaining it. 

She said after ADA was enacted society has shown more  “tolerance and acceptance” of those with disabilities. 

The West Haven Community House website says the organization

“exists to facilitate healthy, productive, independent and meaningful lives for children, adolescents and families, and individuals with disabilities.”

Thursday’s festivities will include an interactive educational exhibit about the ADA, and members of the public will get a chance to try out an adaptive, recumbent bicycle, Gallucci said. 

An acoustic duo will entertain from 5-7 p.m., followed by a rock band performing from 7-8 p.m., he said.

There will be balloons for children and Gallucci said the public is invited to celebrate and enjoy anniversary cake with CDR staff and members and event collaborators.

In addition to CDR the following collaborators are working to make the event a success: West Haven Community House’s Community Connections, City of West Haven, City of Milford & Concerned Citizens for People with Disabilities, Inc., Agency on Aging, and Bodie’s Place of Milford.

Note: My husband, Ralph, and I are members of the Center for Disability Rights and I wrote this press release for the organization.  

Please join us Thursday at Savin Rock for this fun event!