The Roving Activist’s Blog

Remember when I posted about the ADA Road To Freedom Tour that was stopping in Rochester on september 4th? Well, I remembered that I never posted about it…duh! My friend and colleague, Terrie Lincoln did a write-up on that event, and gave me permission to post it here. Thanks Terrie!

ADA Road To Freedom Tour Stops In Rochester, NY

Tuesday’s event was AWESOME!  We had a great turn out of elected and other officials.  This was our first ever event that had representation from the Governor’s office.  They have agreed to come back in a few weeks and learn more about what we do and how their regional office can work with us here in Rochester! 

We had many special guests who joined us: County legislature Steve Eckel; Senator Joe Robach; Assemblyman David Koon; Assistant County Executive Jerry Helfer; and Gary Walker from the City of Rochester.  We also had Board of Elections Commissioners Peter Quinn and Tom Ferrarese; Attorney Mike Mule from the Empire Justice Center; Julia Day from the State Division of Human Rights; Molly Clifford, liaison for the disability community, and Jennifer Sanfalipo. 

Of course we can’t forget Jim Ward and Tom Olin who made the tour possible.  “The ADA is a living, breathing, grass roots movement,” said Jim Ward. “This tour isn’t about disability. It’s about humanity and how the world’s wealthiest nation doesn’t deal with its humanity.” 

With over 150+ in attendance, much of the excitement was the many new faces and agencies who joined us.  Amongst the agencies were Mental Health Coalition; MS Society; Happiness House; T.B.I; Spinal Bifida Association; Lifetime Assistance; Social Security Disability Coalition; and Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley. 

Chris Hilderbrant was the MC for the event; he started it off by introducing our first guest, Molly Clifford.  Molly spoke on behalf of the mayor who couldn’t make it because of jury duty.  She said Mayor Duffy was very disappointed to have missed the event and if he could choose between jury duty and the bus tour he definitely would have been here.  “We continue to make improvements every day,” she said. “Some are small, some are large. We take access very seriously here.” 

CDR Executive Director Bruce Darling said critical issues for equal access are education, transportation, housing and employment. Unemployment among the disabled is 70 percent, he said. “We have a lot of work to do,” he said. “Even now, the rights to vote privately and independently are things we struggle for.” “It used to be that people expected people with disabilities to be grateful for the things when they helped the handicapped. We’re here to say we don’t want your help. We want civil rights, we want access. This is about equality, not being special,” said Bruce.

Our very own Anita Cameron also spoke.  She spoke about the ADA Restoration Act and the importance of it.  Anita said, “Our rights are not given to us because someone woke up one fine sunny day and thought it would be a good idea.  You have to fight for your rights. Then you have to fight to keep them lest they get whittled away as with the ADA. That is why we are fighting for the ADA Restoration Act.”  She ended with having the crowd chanting POWER FOR THE PEOPLE!!

Displays were set up under the tent outside and inside the building. The Road to Freedom exhibit features Tom Olin’s historical photographs of the struggle for disability rights.  Olin’s work has been featured at the Smithsonian Institute. The exhibit also includes a narrative of the grassroots history of the ADA as written by Arlene Mayerson of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF).

While people were eating and enjoying the exquisite displays, we gathered over 30 petitions for the ADA Restoration Act and Community Choice Act.  In addition to the petitions, we also recruited over 15 volunteers. 

It was great… we look forward to many more big events here in the future!