ADA 25th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, July 25, 2015
10:00 a.m. to Noon
Lawrence Public Library Auditorium
707 Vermont Street
Lawrence, Kansas
Sponsored by: Independence, Inc., City of Lawrence Human Relations Division,
Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Dole Institute
of Politics, Cottonwood, Inc., Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Golf Course Superintendents
Association of America, and US Bank
Thank you to all sponsors of this
ADA 25th Anniversary Celebration!
Your support made this event possible. We appreciate everyone’s participation and ongoing
efforts to make the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act a reality, “to assure equality of
opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals
with disabilities.”
Bob Mikesic & Jill Enyart
Co-Executive Directors
Independence, Inc.
Thanks to the ADA Anniversary Steering Committee who planned this event: Tammy Bennett, Brad
Linnenkamp, JoAnne Fluke, Ray Pence, Richard Meidinger, Bob Mikesic, Stephanie Sanford, Kevin Smith,
and Norm White.
Enactment of the ADA reflects deeply held American ideals that treasure the
contributions that individuals can make when free from arbitrary, unjust, or
outmoded societal attitudes and practices that prevent the realization of their
potential. The ADA reflects a recognition that the surest path to America's
continued vitality, strength and vibrancy is through the full realization of the
contributions of all of its citizens. Source: ADA Handbook – Preamble
ADA 25th Anniversary Celebration
Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont Street
Lawrence, Kansas
July 25, 2015
Program
Welcome and Introductions
Craig Weinaug, Emcee, Douglas County Administrator
ADA Proclamation: Stuart Boley, City Commissioner, City of Lawrence, Kansas
Remarks: Representative from the Faith Community - Ron Miller
State Representative Barbara Ballard
State Representative Boog Highberger
Acknowledgement of Sponsors: Bob Mikesic, Jill Enyart,
Co-Executive Directors, Independence, Inc.
Keynote Speakers: Americans with Disabilities Act - Past and Future
Dot Nary, Assistant Research Professor, Research and Training Center
on Independent Living at the University of Kansas.
Dot Nary has been involved in the independent living/ disability rights movement for over 30 years.
She has lived in Lawrence since 1996 after moving from the east coast to attend graduate school. She is an assistant
research professor at the Research and Training Center on Independent Living at KU, with research interests in
community participation, access to recreation, health promotion and advocacy training for people with disabilities, and
on creating accessible communities for all. Her recent work focuses on the impact of non-visitable homes on wheelchair
users. She has been active in the Disability Section of the American Public Health Association, serves as staff advisor to
AbleHawks and Allies, a KU student group that works to increase disability awareness on campus, and teaches courses
on disability and social change at several universities. She currently serves as Communications Coordinator of the
LiveWell Lawrence Healthy Built Environment Work Group.
Ray Petty, Kansas Coordinator, Great Plains ADA Center
Ray was involved with national advocacy on both the ADA and Fair Housing Act in the late 80s and early 90s , and
was the point person with the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Kansas during that period of time. He
helped develop the grant that funds the Great Plains ADA Center, and has worked there since 1995 when he
began as capacity-building and program evaluation subcontractor. He is currently responsible for the delivery of
ADA Network services throughout the State of Kansas. In addition to providing training, technical assistance and
consultation to individuals and entities in the state of Kansas, he serves on boards for the Assistive Technology for
Kansans and the Disability Rights Center of Kansas and is also President of Kansas Accessible Sports. He's learning
now how to be a farmer-rancher and still enjoys playing and coaching wheelchair basketball and wheelchair
softball teams.
Ray Pence, University of Kansas, Department of American Studies
Ray Pence earned his Ph.D. in American studies at the University of Kansas, where he works as a lecturer. His research,
writing, and teaching interests focus on the history of people with disabilities in the U.S., with particular attention to
veterans of the Vietnam War. This summer, Ray is working with the Dole Institute of Politics at KU on their ADA 25th
anniversary exhibit, which highlights the role of former US Senator Bob Dole in advocating for disability rights.
Refreshment Break: 10:40 - 11:00
Panel: 11:00 - 11:30
People with disabilities will share stories about the positive impact of the ADA on their life, and identify what
changes are still needed for people with disabilities to have equal access to full participation in all parts of life.
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Lou Hara, Haskell Indian Nations University
Tim Hornick, Veteran
Brad Linnenkamp, Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas
Kathy Lobb, Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas
Cady Macfee, Hamilton Relay Coordinator
Dick Meidinger, Hearing Disabilities
Mary Lisa Pike, Recovery and Hope Network, Inc.
Matt Whaley, Youth Employment
Questions from the Audience for Speakers and Panel Members: 11:30 – 12:00
Closing Remarks - Craig Weinaug
Another ADA Anniversary event we encourage you to attend.
Dole Institute of Politics Exhibit Opening
Celebrating Opportunity for People with Disabilities:
70 years of Dole Leadership
Open house & reception 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Sunday, July 26
Simons Media Room, Dole Institute of Politics
Brief speaking program at 3:00 p.m.
Refreshments provided. Public is invited.
This celebratory exhibit kicks-off the Dole
Institute’s special series, “commemorateADA,”
recognizing the 25th anniversary of the passage of
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
Senator Dole’s important role in this legislation and
other disability rights efforts.