A Lawrence celebration also aims to generate awareness of progress still needed 35 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act passed.
Rex Ellebracht hopes the third annual Disability Pride, Empowerment, and Equality event will bring the community together to celebrate all disabilities.
The Disability Pride, Empowerment, and Equality event is scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26 at Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St. It’s free to attend.
A father who lives with both legs amputated, Ellebracht said he’s found solidarity in his advocacy. He works as an independent living specialist at Independence Inc.
“Everybody has a story to tell,” Ellebracht said. “And we’re celebrating every disability, not just physical.”
Independence Inc., one of six co-sponsors of the disability pride celebration, is a Lawrence-based advocacy nonprofit. People can rent mobility devices and access transportation at low costs as well as participate in free support groups and trainings. In his role, Ellebracht often helps community members navigate paperwork for disability benefits.
The celebration coincides with the ADA’s 35th anniversary, a law with historical context that Ellebracht said will be discussed. Discrimination in employment, local and state government services, public accommodations, transportation, telecommunications, and more are prohibited under the ADA, but inaccessibilities persist.
“It’s a great time for us to reflect on how far we’ve come, and that’s gonna be some of the history part, too — making people aware,” Ellebracht said. “But we still have a long way to go, and that’s locally and nationally.”
A range of advocates and activists living with disabilities — including Tamara Blackwell, who’s Ms. Wheelchair America and Ms. Wheelchair Kansas this year — will share about their lived experiences in a discussion panel. More panelists in the lineup include Rick McNabb, Darby Bates and Shane Lewis, and Evan Dean and Alice Zhang will facilitate.
Other speakers during the celebration are Ray Petty, Karrie Shogren, Dot Nary and Lorraine Cannistra.
Additionally, a Lawrence ensemble will offer a brief, hands-on demonstration of Adaptive Use Musical Instruments. AUMI is software that allows users to create music through their movements.
Learn more about the event on the event page via the library’s website. Learn more about Independence Inc. on its website, independenceinc.org.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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