AAPD and disability rights advocates across America are planning several big celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act. The AAPD will hold a major celebration on Tuesday evening, July 20, 2010 at 7 PM at the Grand Hyatt Washington , 1000 H Street NW , Washington , DC . The celebration is sponsored by: The National Council on Independent Living, ADA National Network-DBTACs, American Association of People with Disabilities, Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Bender Consulting Services, Inc., Committee on Disability Power & Pride, Epilepsy Foundation, Hearing Loss Association of America, National Association of the Deaf, National Federation of the Blind, National Industries for the Blind, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Shepherd Center, United Spinal Association.

Dance to the music of Flame, a rock band from New York and enjoy a barbecue supper. Flame is made up of eleven people with disabilities. The group performs across the USA and in Europe , with a song list of over 100 classic rock, country and blues songs from the past five decades.

The organizers of the Spirit of ADA...Lead On! event are aware that a series of events are being planned in Washington , DC and around America to celebrate the ADA Anniversary. That includes a large Disability Pride Parade in Chicago on July 24 and a Disability Power & Pride 20th ADA Anniversary Gala in Washington on July 26.

We plan to coordinate and collaborate on events wherever possible, and encourage folks to let the ADA know your plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary. Please send details of your event to Sarah Peterson at jfaan@aapd.com and we will maintain a central listing of all the events we know about.