Agenda Summary
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Celebrating the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, recognizing July as Disability Pride Month and the 26th of July as Americans with Disabilities Act Day.
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Official Text
Resolution of the City Council celebrating the Anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act, recognizing July as Disability Pride Month and the the 26th of July as American with Disabilities Act Day, in the City of Somerville in perpetuity, and urging continued commitment to ensure accessibility and empowering the civil rights of people with disabilities.
WHEREAS: Since the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) on July 26, 1990, Disability Pride has become a celebratory movement aimed at recognizing achievements for disability rights while pushing for disability equity across all sectors of life; and
WHEREAS: Prior to 1990, people living with disabilities were subjected to employment and other disability-based discrimination with lack of equal protection under the law; and
WHEREAS: The ADA is recognized as one of the most important civil rights laws in history establishing protections to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life including jobs, schools, transportation, and all private places open to the general public; and
WHEREAS: Disability Pride uplifts and celebrates the contributions of disability activists that fought for the passage of the ADA, and have valiantly advocated for protected pathways toward better working and living conditions for everyone; and
WHEREAS: Disability Pride enables people with disabilities to redefine their identity, serves as a tool to tackle ableism, bias, discrimination, and reshapes negative perceptions of individuals with disabilities as people with value, talents, and significance; and
WHEREAS: Many cities across the United States have celebrated Disability Pride Month since the early 2000’s; and
WHEREAS: The City of Somerville is committe...
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