DAI Leaders Attend the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Celebration
“I am always grateful for the opportunities this organization provides me and will continue to support our work and other organizations to support youth with disabilities across our nation. When we work together, we create a dynamic that cannot be ignored.” —Isaac, Diverse Ability Incorporated (DAI) Arizona Young Adult Leader
This September, three of DAI’s Young Adult Leaders were honored to attend the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This special event, hosted by President Biden and Dr. Biden, celebrated Disability Pride Month and recognized the landmark civil rights law.
Our Young Adult Leaders were excited to join hundreds of advocates, leaders, and civil servants on the South Lawn of the White House for President Joe Biden’s final commemoration of the ADA.
Mateo, a DAI Young Adult Leader and representative for the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council shared that his favorite experience was “hearing Biden speak in person from just a few feet away.”
During his address, President Biden reflected on his involvement in disability rights legislation over the past five decades, highlighting significant laws such as The Rehabilitation Act and the ADA. He noted that for over 61 million Americans with disabilities, these laws represent opportunity, respect, pride, and dignity. He emphasized that the passage of these laws was not the end of the work needed and stated, “nothing is beyond our capacity when we work together.”
This message resonated deeply with our Young Adult Leaders. Mateo reflected that his biggest takeaway was “the collective power of people with disabilities.” Isaac echoed this powerful notion, stating, “People with disabilities have a lot to offer our country. If we continue to fight for our rights in the workplace, education, and everyday activities, we will set a precedent for future generations.”
Diverse Ability Incorporated is immensely proud to support these Young Adult Leaders and all the young people who represent our organization. Their voices are vital at local, state, and national levels, and we believe experiences like this fuel their personal and professional growth and positively impact the lives of the youth and young adults they mentor and support.