ADA Celebration Week

 In commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Center for Disability Rights, along with Monroe Wheelchair, Epilepsy Foundation, the Mental Health Coalition, Rochester Rehab, and the Regional Center for Independent Living coordinated a weeklong series of events celebrating the disability community.
 
To see how this celebration was planned ahead of time, click below:
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Tuesday, July 26, 2005-Baseball Game and Picnic at Frontier Field
The week of events began with a baseball game and picnic planned by the Regional Center for Independent Living and the Red Wings. The picnic was great; over 300 people came and enjoyed a fantastic buffet dinner of hamburgers and hotdogs.
  CDR group at baseball.   Vickie, Erica and Debbie.
Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate for the pre-game parade and ceremonial first pitch (even though we did have quite a light show in the sky!).
Our community did a great job of improvising and making the best of the situation. As the clouds darkened and the rain suddenly began to fall in sheets, we gathered together in the concourse, out of the rain, and the City of Rochester and County of Monroe presented a joint proclamation to our community proclaiming Americans with Disabilities Week.
  Chris Hilderbrant and others.
A check was then presented to the Rochester Wheels, the youth wheelchair basketball team, to support their team and involvement in tournaments around the country.
  Wheels.
The Red Wings finally played their game, but not until about 8:15 pm that evening.
 
Wednesday, July 27, 2005-Assistive Technology/Adapted Sports Expo/Art Show and Auction
On Wednesday evening, we held the Assistive Technology Fair/ Adapted Sports Expo/ Art Show and Silent Auction at Monroe Community College. The show was well attended by a variety of vendors showcasing technology to help many different types of disabilities. People had an opportunity to try out cool, new technology, from state of the art power chairs to tools that would help with computer use. Deanna McManus checked out a manual wheelchair with power assist wheels and Shelly Perrin tried out the motorized chair that took her from sitting, to standing, to laying down and back to sitting again! Even Anita O'Brien tried out a powerchair that tilted side to side!
  Deanna.   Shelly.   Susan, Anita and Mary Anne.
Sportsnet brought a variety of equipment for people to try at the Adapted Sports Expo, from adapted canoeing to wheelchair basketball to power soccer to hand cycles. The hand cycles and three-wheeled recumbent bikes were a big hit with Brenda Pagliarli, Richard Sato and Kevin Simmons, who were some of the fastest riders, ever. Young Bryan Johnson got in the act by using the hand-cycle with his eyes closed.
  Brenda on a three-wheeled recumbent bicycle.   Bryan on a handcycle with eyes closed.
We even saw Paralympian Dave Kiley take on Chris Hilderbrant, Toni Montgomery, and Pat Taggart in wheelchair basketball (guess who had the better shot?!).
  Dave Kiley, Chris Hilderbrant and others.   Shooting baskets from wheelchairs.
Along the hallway at MCC, the Impressions Art Gallery, a program of the Mental Health Coalition, displayed a variety of beautiful and thought-provoking paintings. Trish Pellegrino had one of her pieces shown. This was not only an opportunity for people to see the talent of the artists, but was also a silent auction to give individuals a chance to take a piece of art home.
  MHC group.   Taggart and Mike. Vickie to the right.   TADA banner.
 
Thursday, July 28, 2005-Disability Film Festival
On Thursday, the Kate Gleason Auditorium of the Central Library hosted the Disability Film Festival, where films were shown highlighting disability culture. Four films in total were shown, including, When Billy Broke His Head…And Other Tales of Wonder, a film discussing the battle people with disabilities have against the system; Inside, Outside, a film spotlighting life after institutionalization in a mental health facility; and Vital Signs: Crip Culture Talks Back, featuring CDR's Board President, Bob DeFelice. Bob joined us before the film to offer his insights and explain the background for the audience members.
  Bob DeFelice at the Disability Film Festival.
The featured film of the evening was the acclaimed, Rory O'Shea was Here, a story of the struggles of two young men as they fought for their right to live independently in the community and their adjustment to independent living. It was a great festival. With the scent of popcorn drifting through the library, many people stopped by and asked about the event. Some even stayed and enjoyed the popcorn and a film or two!
  Erica.   TADA banner at the Disability Film Festival.   Cat and Niece.
Prior to the event, the Little Theatre had donated pairs of free passes to see the film, Murderball, a documentary about quad rugby. Throughout the festival, passes, posters and bumperstickers were raffled off to those present. Among the day's winners were Arnold Raimondo, Mary Anne Price and Richard Sato!
  Richard Sato at the Disability Film Festival.
 
Friday, July 29, 2005-ADA Celebration Dinner
On Friday evening, the Crowne Plaza Hotel was the setting for the ADA celebration dinner. Mary Anne Price did a great job coordinating the event and working with the Crowne Plaza. Though CDR has held many events at the Crowne Plaza, this was by far the most fancy. The attendance was extraordinary, with over 300 people from all over Monroe County.
  ADA celebration dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Everyone was dolled up for the big event.
  Shirl, Ann and Peggy at dinner.   Sadie Gilbride in the center and Susan Stahl to the right.   Norman and Thermaliz.
 
  Tyfanni Penn.   Shelly and Deanna.   Leen and Jose.
   The TADA committee.
One special moment of the evening was when Bruce Darling presented Ruth Transue with CDR's Busy Bea award for 2005 for not only all she does for the aquatic program, but for the agency as a whole. Even at 92, Ruthie is a model of activity, advocacy and community involvement. She was very surprised and pleased to win the award. Ruth's name will be added to the plaque and she received a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
  Bruce Darling with Ruthie.
The night's entertainment included our beautiful emcee, Juliette Rizzo, Ms. Wheelchair America 2005. Juliette flew from Washington, DC, to join us for the dinner and for the parade to follow on Saturday. Denise Dinoto, the New York State coordinator for Ms. Wheelchair also joined us.
  Mary Anne Price and Juliette Rizzo.   Dave, Kristin Michele and Juliette.   Juliette Rizzo, Ms. Wheelchair America 2005.
Our keynote was David Kiley, a Paralympic gold medalist and coach. David shared stories of becoming disabled and his drive to become a champion and his pride at having been able to represent the United State in many Paralympic games. David also gave a short demonstration of how he and a group of paraplegics climbed a mountain by skooching along on their bottoms and dragging their wheelchairs by a rope.
  Dave Kiley, Paralympic gold medalist and coach, on stage.   Dave Kiley, Juliette Rizzo and Doug.   Dave Kiley takes a fall out of his wheelchair. Pictured sitting on floor.
 
Saturday, July 30, 2005-ADA Parade and After-Party
On a beautifully sunny Saturday morning, over two hundred people got up early and arranged themselves into formation for the first-ever ADA parade in Monroe County. A wide variety of groups were represented, from the Self Help Drop-in Center to PT Cruisers on Parade to Stepping Stones Learning Center to the Greater Rochester Canine Experience.
  Drop In Center Parade.   PT Cruisers Parade.   Various people holding the Stepping Stones Learning Center banner.
Local politicians and candidates, including Senator Joe Robach who sponsored the TADA events, Councilmember Tim Mains running for Mayor, Carolee Conklin running for City Council, and County Legislature candidate, Chris Hilderbrant, also joined the parade.
  Mayoral candidate Tim Mains flanked by supporters.   Conklin Parade.   Chris Hilderbrant and Joe Robach at the ADA Parade.
Toni Montgomery and Carolyn Benway proudly led the way, carrying the TADA logo banner.
  The front of the parade with the TADA banner - Together for the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Grand Marshall of the parade was Ms. Wheelchair America, riding in a beautifully decorated float, flanked by Teal Bradley and Alexandra Fidele.
  Ms. Wheelchair America 2005 as the Grand Marshall of the parade riding on a float.
Monroe Wheelchair built a float, featuring wheelchairs from yesterday and today.
  Monroe Wheelchair with their banner - Using Technology to Promote Independence.
CDR's marching group was well over fifty members strong, the largest of all groups, marching in bright orange shirts behind our patriotic float, shaking our shakers and chanting away.
  Various people in bright orange shirts turning the corner.   Various people in bright orange shirts turning the corner.   CDR's Executive Director, Bruce Darling, with other parade marchers.
At the end of the parade route, everyone piled into Milestones Music Room where we had one of the greatest after parties ever! Milestones provided the space and lots of munchies for everyone to enjoy. Uncle Plum and SoundBox, featuring our own Marco Altieri, provided the entertainment for the thriving group of orange shirts (CDR sure knows how to party!) with other friends in the mix.
  The band Uncle Plum performing.   Soundbox, Marco Altieri's band, performs.
Everyone loved Uncle Plum, but SoundBox was the hit of the party, leading the Happy Birthday song for Mary Anne Price and inviting Joe Wheeler up on stage to sing, "I Want You to Want Me".
  Joe Wheeler on stage singing with Marco.   Various people enjoying themselves while Soundbox performs.   Marco performing with Soundbox, walking with a microphone raised high.
What a week! We are looking forward to doing some of these events next year-we will keep you posted! Thank you to all of the participating agencies, sponsors, and volunteers who made this unique and exciting week of events possible!