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 successfully called on Congress to pass the ADA Amendments 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]
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
Members of the disability community throughout New Mexico joined us at the State Capitol where the legislature acknowledged the Road To Freedom.
Members of the disability community throughout New Mexico joined us at the State Capitol where the legislature acknowledged the Road To Freedom.
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
Christy Dunaway, Executive Director of Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE) joined other supporters who braved the cold and rain to welcome the Road To Freedom bus at the State Capitol in Jackson, Mississippi.
Christy Dunaway, Executive Director of Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE) joined other supporters who braved the cold and rain to welcome the Road To Freedom bus at the State Capitol in Jackson, Mississippi.
"DARIUS GOES WEST" MOVIE PREMIERE
The Road To Freedom joined Mark Johnson and the "Darius Goes West" cast at the movie's premiere in Athens, Georgia. Front and center is Darius Weems, a 17-year-old with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, who had never left his hometown of Athens, Georgia. In the summer of 2005, he and a group of young college students drove from Athens to Los Angeles and back in an accessible RV. Their ultimate goal was to reach Los Angeles and convince MTV's hit show, "Pimp My Ride," to customize Darius's wheelchair. The resulting documentary brings awareness about disability and the ADA, while focusing on the growing relationships between Darius and the stuents.
The Road To Freedom joined Mark Johnson and the "Darius Goes West" cast at the movie's premiere in Athens, Georgia. Front and center is Darius Weems, a 17-year-old with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, who had never left his hometown of Athens, Georgia. In the summer of 2005, he and a group of young college students drove from Athens to Los Angeles and back in an accessible RV. Their ultimate goal was to reach Los Angeles and convince MTV's hit show, "Pimp My Ride," to customize Darius's wheelchair. The resulting documentary brings awareness about disability and the ADA, while focusing on the growing relationships between Darius and the stuents.
DALLAS, TEXAS
The Road To Freedom at the March for Respect rally honoring people with developmental disabilities. ADA Watch's Jim Ward was among the featured speakers at this event which attracted thousands of marchers in Dallas on March 31.
The Road To Freedom at the March for Respect rally honoring people with developmental disabilities. ADA Watch's Jim Ward was among the featured speakers at this event which attracted thousands of marchers in Dallas on March 31.
ACTOR CHRIS BURKE
The Road To Freedom joined Actor Chris Burke at the March for Respect rally in Dallas on March 31, 2007. Chris is best known for the four years he spent playing Charles "Corky" Thatcher on the hit ABC-TV show "Life Goes On" and his reoccurring role as Taylor, the angel of faith on the hit CBS-TV show "Touched By An Angel".
The Road To Freedom joined Actor Chris Burke at the March for Respect rally in Dallas on March 31, 2007. Chris is best known for the four years he spent playing Charles "Corky" Thatcher on the hit ABC-TV show "Life Goes On" and his reoccurring role as Taylor, the angel of faith on the hit CBS-TV show "Touched By An Angel".
SALEM, OREGON
With the Freedom Bus at the state capitol in Salem, Oregon: Dave Fulton, ADA Watch board member Janine Bertram Kemp and Oregon Road To Freedom organizer Bill Olsen of the Oregon Cross-Disability Coalition.
With the Freedom Bus at the state capitol in Salem, Oregon: Dave Fulton, ADA Watch board member Janine Bertram Kemp and Oregon Road To Freedom organizer Bill Olsen of the Oregon Cross-Disability Coalition.
PORTLAND, OREGON
Speaker at the Road To Freedom bus stop at the fairgrounds in Portland, Oregon.
Speaker at the Road To Freedom bus stop at the fairgrounds in Portland, Oregon.
BOISE, IDAHO
The Road To Freedom bus crew joined advocates in Boise, Idaho to advocate for passage of Disability History Week legislation. ADA Watch's Jim Ward is shown here explaining how important preserving our history is to the ongoing struggle for disability rights.
The Road To Freedom bus crew joined advocates in Boise, Idaho to advocate for passage of Disability History Week legislation. ADA Watch's Jim Ward is shown here explaining how important preserving our history is to the ongoing struggle for disability rights.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Marca Bristo, President and CEO of Access Living welcomed the Road To Freedom bus and crew to Chicago for the independent living center's event focused on the UN Convention on People with Disabilities. Marca is the former Chairperson of the National Council on Disability.
Marca Bristo, President and CEO of Access Living welcomed the Road To Freedom bus and crew to Chicago for the independent living center's event focused on the UN Convention on People with Disabilities. Marca is the former Chairperson of the National Council on Disability.
ACCESSIBLE AMERICA
National Organization on Disability's president, MIchael Deland with ADA Watch's Jim Ward at the Access Chicago event on the Navy Pier. The city of Chicago was honored as the runner up in the National Organization on Disability’s (NOD) Accessible America Competition. Karen Tamley, the Commissioner of Mayor Daley’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), accepted the $10,000 Accessible America prize on behalf of the City.
National Organization on Disability's president, MIchael Deland with ADA Watch's Jim Ward at the Access Chicago event on the Navy Pier. The city of Chicago was honored as the runner up in the National Organization on Disability’s (NOD) Accessible America Competition. Karen Tamley, the Commissioner of Mayor Daley’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), accepted the $10,000 Accessible America prize on behalf of the City.
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