The Lighthouse marked the 20th anniversary of the signing into law of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26th with special remarks from U.S. Senator Richard Durbin, one of the Act’s original supporters, and a panel discussion featuring Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke and others.
 
The event, which attracted over 100 Lighthouse staff and representatives of other disability groups, received coverage from ABC 7, the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Illinois Radio Network and others.
 
In his remarks, Senator Durbin who not only backed the original measure but also supported the subsequent ADA Amendments Act, applauded Americans with disabilities for their courage and perseverance.  He praised the legislation for opening doors that had heretofore been closed.

Noting that it had received support from Republicans as well as Democrats, he also pointed out that passage of the Act reflected the best spirit of bipartisanship and that same kind of political cooperation is sorely missed today.
 
Following the Senator’s comments, a panel discussion, moderated by Judge Nicholas Pomaro, head of the Lighthouse’s Kane Legal Clinic, took front and center. In addition to Justice Burke who served as a founding member of the Chicago Special Olympics, panelists included Rene Luna, disability advocate with Access Living in Chicago; Paul Scher, a Lighthouse board member who was Rehabilitation Services Manager on the Affirmative Action staff at Sears Merchandise Group; Ray Campbell, who operates the Lighthouse’s Adaptive Technology Help Desk and who also serves as President of the Illinois Council of the Blind, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind; Mary Abramson, instructor in the Lighthouse’s Office Skills program; and Emily Norris, a third year law student at the University of Illinois College of Law.

Each speaker offered their own unique perspective on the ADA and noted how it had changed life for the better for millions of Americans.

"This is the United States of America and the marvelous thing about our country is that it is a land of opportunity for all of us, whether we are disabled or not," implored Judge Pomaro, who is totally blind.  "The ADA reiterates the fact that those of us with disabilities are just as good as our fellow Americans and are entitled to pursue our dreams!"
     
He expressed confidence that technological changes and other innovations will continue to improve the lives of people with disabilities in the years ahead.

Click here to see the ABC-7 News Coverage

Click here to see a photo gallery of the event