The Road To Freedom traveling exhibit and awareness campaign is an ongoing, cross-country bus tour produced by ADA Watch and the National Coalition for Disability Rights (NCDR). Advance work for the tour is in partnership with the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF). The educational tour promotes an understanding of disability rights history and the "people's movement" that led to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In response to the weakening of the ADA in the courts, a separate advocacy component of the tour promotes disability rights as essential civil rights, engages the disability community in the judicial selection process and calls on Congress to pass the ADA Restoration Act. To read the our blog, go to http://www.roadtofreedom.wordpress.com and for additional information, go to http://www.roadtofreedom.org. SPONSORS OF THE ROAD TO FREEDOM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE:The Open Society Institute, IndependenceFirst, AARP, AOL, Ted Leonsis Foundation, Bruce Hornsby, Sweet Honey In The Rock, Dircks & Associates, Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, Arizona Bridge to Independent Living, National Disability Rights Network, Democracy In Action, Embassy of Croatia, and more. [Photos by Tom Olin]
NEW YORK CITY HALL
Members of the New York City Council joined local advocates as the Road To Freedom was welcomed on the grounds of historic New York City Hall. This event on November 14, 2007 was the last bus stop before heading back to Washington, DC for the one-year mark of the tour.
Members of the New York City Council joined local advocates as the Road To Freedom was welcomed on the grounds of historic New York City Hall. This event on November 14, 2007 was the last bus stop before heading back to Washington, DC for the one-year mark of the tour.
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
The color guard kicked-off the Road To Freedom bus stop activities in Fresno, California. Veterans were included as speakers at this event and have participated in numerous Road To Freedom events across America.
The color guard kicked-off the Road To Freedom bus stop activities in Fresno, California. Veterans were included as speakers at this event and have participated in numerous Road To Freedom events across America.
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
Road To Freedom buttons at the Clinton Presidential Library bus stop in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Arkansas Road to Freedom committee was spearheaded by the new executive director of the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL), Billy Altom.
Road To Freedom buttons at the Clinton Presidential Library bus stop in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Arkansas Road to Freedom committee was spearheaded by the new executive director of the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL), Billy Altom.
GOVERNOR MIKE BEBEE
Arkansas Governor Mike Bebee, shown here with ADA Watch's Jim Ward at the Clinton Presidential Library, recognized the Road To Freedom crew as Honorary Arkansas Travelers.
Governors, Mayors and other elected leaders across America have recognized the Road To Freedom with official proclamations and appearances at our events.
Arkansas Governor Mike Bebee, shown here with ADA Watch's Jim Ward at the Clinton Presidential Library, recognized the Road To Freedom crew as Honorary Arkansas Travelers.
Governors, Mayors and other elected leaders across America have recognized the Road To Freedom with official proclamations and appearances at our events.
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
Leroy Moore, "Krip-Hop" artist and Spoken Word poet at the Road To Freedom bus stop in Fresno, California.
Leroy Moore, "Krip-Hop" artist and Spoken Word poet at the Road To Freedom bus stop in Fresno, California.
TOPEKA, KANSAS
Mike Oxford, executive director of the Topeka Independent Living Resource Center (TILRC) addresses supporters at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. Mike is also a member of the ADA Watch/NCDR National Advisory Council.
Mike Oxford, executive director of the Topeka Independent Living Resource Center (TILRC) addresses supporters at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. Mike is also a member of the ADA Watch/NCDR National Advisory Council.
Brown v. Board of Education HISTORIC SITE
ADA Watch's Jim Ward and Topeka Independent Living Resource Center's Mike Oxford at our news conference at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas. Speakers highlighted the continued significance of the Brown decision in the ongoing struggle to end segregation of children and adults with disabilities.
ADA Watch's Jim Ward and Topeka Independent Living Resource Center's Mike Oxford at our news conference at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas. Speakers highlighted the continued significance of the Brown decision in the ongoing struggle to end segregation of children and adults with disabilities.
State Fair Parade in DES MOINES, IOWA
On August 9th - despite the rain - the Freedom Bus and crew joined youth leaders and other advocates marching in the 2007 Iowa State Fair Parade in Des Moines. The Road To Freedom crew had numerous opportunities to meet and educate representatives of the presidential campaigns that are a constant presence in Iowa.
On August 9th - despite the rain - the Freedom Bus and crew joined youth leaders and other advocates marching in the 2007 Iowa State Fair Parade in Des Moines. The Road To Freedom crew had numerous opportunities to meet and educate representatives of the presidential campaigns that are a constant presence in Iowa.
Disability Pride Parade in CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Debbie Fletter Ward and the youngest Freedom Bus Riders, Zach Ward, age 3 and Jake Ward, age 2, with the Road To Freedom Bus in the 2007 Disability Pride Parade in Chicago.
Debbie Fletter Ward and the youngest Freedom Bus Riders, Zach Ward, age 3 and Jake Ward, age 2, with the Road To Freedom Bus in the 2007 Disability Pride Parade in Chicago.
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
Disability advocate at the Road To Freedom bus stop at the Southern Poverty Law Center's Civil Rights Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. The Southern Poverty Law Center is a nonprofit organization that combats hate, intolerance and discrimination through education and litigation.
Disability advocate at the Road To Freedom bus stop at the Southern Poverty Law Center's Civil Rights Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. The Southern Poverty Law Center is a nonprofit organization that combats hate, intolerance and discrimination through education and litigation.
