by Janice Sloan
(Editor’s Note: Janice Sloan was a summer intern at the ACB national office. Her first ongoing project was to track the progress of the Spirit of ADA torch relay. She did this by way of the Internet, and as an observer at the torch relay event at the FDR Memorial. We appreciate all of Ms. Sloan’s hard work and enthusiasm.)
The Relay
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a torch relay, organized by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), was held in 25 cities throughout the country. The relay began in Houston, TX on June 11, and ended in New York City on August 7. Primary sponsors of the torch relay were Volkswagen of America, Inc., and its luxury division, Audi.
Many blind and visually impaired people were able to participate in this event. The list of participants includes:
From Texas: Michael Garrett, Wayne Lake, Barbara Shavers, Diane Domingue, Kathy Blackburn, Audley Blackburn, Ed Guerra, Richard Villa, Bill Washburn, Cash Clarke, and Dwayne Cunningham;
From California: Lori Mendelson, Lori Gray, Carole J. Bradley, Chris Worthington, and Anita Baldwin;
From Colorado: Anita Cameron;
From Wisconsin: Richard Pomo and several members of RSVA;
From Tennessee: Judy Neal, Kevin Lofton;
From Mississippi: Karen Brown, Donna Smith-Whitty, Mike Smitherman, Janice Gable;
From Alabama: Gayle Crume, Al Efford, Timothy Emmons, K. Hutton, J. Michael Jones, Don Sims, William Bowman, Shawn Thorn, Cassie DeBray;
From Florida: Judy Ramirez;
From Georgia: Danny Yates, Kevin Roberts;
From South Carolina: Students from the School for the Blind;
From Virginia: Samantha Schmucker;
From Kansas: Joann Donnell;
From Michigan: Sharonda White;
From Montana: Students from the School for the Blind;
From Maryland: Students from the School for the Blind; and
From New York: Members of RSVA.
A huge thank you goes out to all of you who supported, organized, and participated in the relay. The event was a great success.
The Torch Arrives at FDR Memorial
On July 25, 2000, ACB staff member Krista Dubroff and summer interns Janice Sloan and Richard Rueda attended the torch relay at the FDR Memorial. The ACB contingent arrived just in time for the passing of the torch. Afterwards, four torch-bearers were allowed to speak about their disabilities and accomplishments.
First, Brooke Ellison described how she was hit by a car just two months after the passage of ADA. She is now paralyzed from the neck down. She did not let this get in her way: she finished high school and is now going on to get her undergraduate degree from Harvard.
Dotum Marcello spoke of the obstacles he faced as a blind person living in Nigeria. His family managed to save enough money to bring him to the United States, so he could attend college. He said that he feels he is a role model for others, around the world, and that he enjoys making a positive difference for other people with disabilities.
Despite the fact that Elizabeth, the next speaker, has been deaf since her birth, her speech is absolutely clear and understandable. She spoke about her experiences with self-advocacy: she was able to secure closed captioning at Disney World, and interpreters in her school district.
Matthew Cavadon, the final speaker, captivated the audience as soon as he wheeled on stage. Cavadon, who is 11 years old, has never known life without the ADA, but he has encountered his own share of obstacles. He helped to found and is now on the executive board of Boundless Playgrounds, a play area for all children — especially those with disabilities — that provides a play space with accessible equipment. He explained how, as a little child, he always felt left out at the playground when he couldn’t run and play with his friends. His dream is for all children to be able to play together, and not have to keep in mind whether someone has a disability.
He designed Jonathan’s Dream, which is a set of swinging boats. Cavadon said, “This idea came from the fact that I love boats and swings, and my friends love boats and swings, so why not put them together?”
Cavadon’s ultimate goal is to become president of Boundless Playgrounds.
Other speakers including Andrew J. Imparato from AAPD, spoke briefly, and the ceremonies concluded with the most exciting treat of all. Peter Yarrow from Peter, Paul, and Mary came out on stage! Yarrow spoke about a friend who had died from polio, and the many lessons his friend taught him. Then, he said he was going to sing a song he co-wrote for a friend’s daughter who is disabled. Then he sang a song called “Don’t Laugh at Me.” The whole audience, including those of us from ACB who have “been there” and felt “that way,” was moved to tears.
On that note of empathy and solidarity, the torch relay concluded its stay at the FDR Memorial, and began making its way to the next stop.