Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled, Inc

in conjunction with



Brooklyn Borough President



MARTY MARKOWITZ



Invite you to join us in celebrating the

18th Anniversary

of the AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

WHERE: Brooklyn Borough Hall - Rotunda


209 Joralemon Street

(between Court and Adams Streets)

Brooklyn, NY 11201



WHEN: Thursday, August 21, 2008



TIME: 5: 30 P.M. – 7: 00 P.M.



HONOREES:



OUTSTANDING LEGISLATORS

ASSEMBLY MEMBER JAMES BRENNAN

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER SARA GONZALEZ



RSVP BY August 15, 2008 Seats are limited

for more information please call:

718-998-3000 (Voice) 718-998-7406 (TTY)



Musical entertainment will be provided for your enjoyment

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED


INDEPENDENCE GROWS IN BROOKLYN

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday August 20, 2008

For More Information:
Mike Godino
718-998-3000

BCID and the Brooklyn Borough President are Celebrating the Eighteenth Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

The Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled and the Brooklyn Borough President are Celebrating the Eighteenth Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Commonly known as the ADA, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into Law on July 26, 1990 by then President George H. W. Bush. Being perceived by people with disabilities as the law that was going to change our lives, the ADA was suppose to open doors to employment, make government programs accessible, provide access within the community and make methods of communication available and usable by people with disabilities. To some extent this has happened; however, like most Civil Rights Laws, it is incumbent on the benefactors to insure the full implementation and enforcement of their rights. One way of keeping the ADA in the hearts and minds of all the people working for and providing equal access is by celebrating its passage.

The Brooklyn Center for the Independence of the Disabled (BCID) in conjunction with the Brooklyn Borough president are celebrating the passage of the ADA. Come join us at Brooklyn Borough Hall on Thursday August 21, 2008 at 5:30 PM in the Community Room.

Location:
209 Joralemon Street between Court and Adams
Brooklyn, NY 11209

BCID works diligently at transforming the community into one that is usable by all people. When we are made aware of a deficiency, we take actions to remove the barriers preventing the participation of people with disabilities and we admire and appreciate any assistance we receive especially from our community and our elected officials.

This year, BCID will be honoring Assemblyman Jim Brennan and Council Member Sarah Gonzales for their efforts to make Brooklyn more accessible for people with disabilities. Assemblyman Brennan is credited with coming to the table and accelerating the installation of an elevator at the Church street entrance to the F train subway station. Council Member Gonzales is credited with rising the awareness of IKEA to the fact that people with disabilities must be considered when they commit to providing transportation to and from their facility. BCID is happy to state, the Church Street elevator is open and operating while IKEA has committed to include equal access to their shuttle service for people who use mobility devices.

Marvin Wasserman the Executive Director of the Brooklyn Center for independence of the Disabled said, “The Americans with Disabilities Act is on track with changing many lives of people with disabilities in Brooklyn and that is why we celebrate its passage.” He continued, “We also celebrate to remind the community of how far we’ve come and just how far we still have to go to insure equality of live for people with disabilities.”

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