Emily F. Keller

Activists Protest Gov. Christie’s Cuts

    Activists protested budget cuts proposed by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie May 22 outside the statehouse in Trenton. There were 35,000 people in attendance.

National Council on Disability Holds ADA Anniversary Summit

    The National Council on Disability (NCD) held the first National Summit on Disability Policy in Washington, D.C. for several days around July 26.

    More than 500 people from 48 states attended the summit, including stakeholders in the federal government and the disability community. The summit aimed to identify opportunities around the theme of “Living, Learning and Earning” for people with disabilities.

Americans Celebrate the Twentieth Anniversary of the ADA

    People across the nation celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) July 26 with speeches, parties and renewed calls to action. The law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and requires equal access to public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. There are 54 million people with disabilities in the U.S.

Cartoonist John Callahan Dies at 59

    John Callahan, a quadriplegic cartoonist known for his edgy writing style and dark humor, died July 24th. He was 59 and lived in Portland, Oregon.

    Callahan’s cartoons were widely published in newspapers and magazines. His work has been chronicled in 12 books since 1990, published by Ballantine Books, Quill, Vintage Books and William Morrow & Company.

President Obama Commemorates Anniversary of the ADA

    President Barack Obama celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by speaking on the White House South Lawn and signing an executive order to increase the employment of people with disabilities in the federal government.

    In his speech, the President talked about Michelle Obama’s father, who had multiple sclerosis and never missed a day of work. He applauded the accomplishments of the ADA and announced continuing efforts toward equality, including updates to the law.

National Organization on Aging Will Include Disabilities

    The National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA) will now include people with disabilities in its service population with an official name change.

    The organization will phase in its new title, the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD), over the next few months.