News release from the Northeast Indiana Disability Advocacy Coalition:
Essay contest open to elementary, middle, high school students
Focuses on the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act(January 9, 2015) – The Northeast Indiana Disability Advocacy Coalition (NEIDAC) is sponsoring an essay contest in conjunction with its annual Abilities Abound event. One winner from each division (Elementary, Middle, High School) will be selected to receive a mini-iPad.
Students are asked to share their perspective and insight on various issues facing individuals with disabilities related to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA was signed into law 25 years ago. An essay application is now available online at www.AbilitiesAbound.org. Essay submissions must be postmarked by 5 p.m., Monday, February 2, 2015.
“To understand the challenges that those with disabilities face, essay participants should think about what accessibility looks like in their school,” says Lynne Gilmore, AWS Foundation Executive Director. “Many may not realize what their peers with disabilities encounter when they want to participate in sports, academies, classroom, playground and other activities around the school building.” In addition to school activities, Gilmore talked about the community around the school and access to restaurants, sporting events, shopping and parking where it may also be limited.
Essay winners will receive their award at the sixth annual Abilities Abound event scheduled on Friday, February 27, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Fort Wayne. Abilities Abound raises awareness of the accomplishments of people with disabilities.
About NEIDAC
The Northeast Indiana Disability Advocacy Coalition (NEIDAC) is a consortium of disability organizations whose mission is to be a common voice and to advocate for equal opportunities on behalf of the disability community.NEIDAC member organizations include: Aging and In Home Services, Audiences Unlimited, Autism Society of Indiana, AWS Foundation, Byron Health Care, Camp PossAbility, Children’s Autism Center, Community Transportation Network, Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Indiana (DSANI), Easter Seals ARC, Fifth Freedom, ICAN, InSource, League for the Blind and Disabled, Mental Health America in Allen County, Passages, Pathfinder Services, and Turnstone.
About Abilities Abound
Abilities Abound is a community celebration of the diversity of abilities in our community. The event won the 2012 Community Spirit Award given by the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities. Tickets to Abilities Abound are advance purchase only and are available at www.AbilitiesAbound.org.
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