(Salem, Ore.) — This year marks the 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and it is being celebrated with a day-long event in Salem on Thursday, July 26.

Presented by the Oregon Disabilities Commission, the event will feature presentations, panel discussions and other learning opportunities from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, at the Human Services Building, 500 Summer St. N.E., Salem.

Event speeches will be from noon to 1 p.m. Featured speakers include Ted Wenk from Disability Rights Oregon and the Oregon Disabilities Commission; Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Fariborz Pakseresht; Rosa Klein, Human Services Policy Advisor for Gov. Kate Brown; and many other advocates and representatives.

Leadership from DHS and the Oregon Disabilities Commission will give opening remarks at 9 a.m.

At 10:30 a.m., there is a showing of the 2011 film “Lives Worth Living.” This 60-minute documentary chronicles the disability rights movement and covers the successful efforts by people with disabilities to make changes to legislation to improve access and eventually achieve passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.

There will be panels and sessions throughout the day, including:

• Employment of People with Disabilities panel with representatives from Employment First, Vocational Rehabilitation, Disability Rights Oregon, Employed People with Disabilities program, and Work Incentives Planning and Assistance.
• Oregon ABLE Savings with Oregon 529 Savings Network.
• Day-to-Day Challenges Individuals Face Living with Disabilities, which features a number of speakers from organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Salem’s Parkinson’s Support Group, Oregon Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services Advisory Council, and much more.
• My Employment Journey session with members of the Oregon Self-Advocacy Coalition.
• Veteran’s Employee Resource Group & Oregon Disabled Veterans Association.
• ADA History and Advocacy.

Cake and refreshments will also be served.

More information about the Oregon Disabilities Commission is online at: https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/ADVISORY/ODC/Pages/index.aspx

If you have questions about the celebration and program, contact: OregonDisabilities.Commission@state.or.us.