About ADA
Last year, Sunday Parkways along with the City of Portland celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Americans Disabilities Act. It was signed by President George Bush on July 26, 1990. In Oregon and the United States 25.6 percent of people have some type of disability. Each of us may experience a disability in our lifetime.
Learn more about people with disabilities in Oregon from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Timeline of civil rights laws leading to ADA
1964 — Civil Rights Act: prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and creed — later, gender was added as a protected class.
1968 — Architectural Barriers Act: prohibits architectural barriers in all federally owned or leased buildings.
1970 — Urban Mass Transit Act: requires that all new mass transit vehicles be equipped with wheelchair lifts. As mentioned earlier, it was twenty years, primarily because of machinations of the American Public Transit Association (APTA), before the part of the law requiring wheelchair lifts was implemented.
1973 — Rehabilitation Act: particularly Title V, Sections 501, 503, and 504, prohibits discrimination in federal programs and services and all other programs or services receiving federal funding.
1975 — Developmental Disabilities Bill of Rights Act: among other things, establishes Protection and Advocacy (P & A).
1975 — Education of All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142): requires free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment possible for children with disabilities. This law is now called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
1978 — Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act: provides for consumer-controlled centers for independent living.
1983 — Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act: provides for the Client Assistance Program (CAP), an advocacy program for consumers of rehabilitation and independent living services.
1985 — Mental Illness Bill of Rights Act: requires protection and advocacy services (P & A) for people with mental illness.
1988 — Civil Rights Restoration Act: counteracts bad case law by clarifying Congress’ original intention that under the Rehabilitation Act, discrimination in ANY program or service that is a part of an entity receiving federal funding — not just the part which actually and directly receives the funding — is illegal.
1988 — Air Carrier Access Act: prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel and provides for equal access to air transportation services.
1988 — Fair Housing Amendments Act: prohibits discrimination in housing against people with disabilities and families with children. Also provides for architectural accessibility-of certain new housing units, renovation of existing units, and accessibility modifications at the renter’s expense.
1990 — Americans with Disabilities Act: provides comprehensive civil rights protection for people with disabilities; closely modeled after the Civil Rights Act and the Section 504 of Title V of the Rehabilitation Act and its regulations.
Learn more about ADA laws and history
Upcoming accessible events with community organizations
For all classes, follow the Portland Sunday Parkways Facebook page for notifications when events go live.
Every Body Athletics
Every Body Athletics' mission statement: Every Body Athletics' mission is to make a lasting impact on the physical, social, and emotional wellbeing of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) through inclusive group athletic training.
Join Every Body Athletics for inclusive exercise for all abilities! During their live classes, EBA staff and volunteers will lead viewers through different stretches, weight training, and cardiovascular exercises that include modifications to meet the needs of everyone.
Summer 2021 classes:
Schedule coming soon!
See all Sunday Parkways events
Learn more and stay connected:
www.everybodyathletics.com
@everybodyathletics on Instagram and Facebook
Bike First!
Bike First! is an inclusive magical experience. We teach individuals with and without disabilities the skills needed to ride typical bikes.
Join Bike First! to learn how to get started and build confidence on a bike. This class is for people of all ages and abilities who are looking for helpful tips on biking, like buying a bike or fitting a helmet.
Summer 2021 classes:
Schedule coming soon!
See all Sunday Parkways events
Learn more and stay connected:
www.abicommunity.org/bikefirst
PHAME
PHAME is a fine and performing arts academy serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
PHAME is providing Sunday Parkways sessions on Vocal Studio Voice Class, Voice-Over Acting, Street Dance, and Slapstick Comedy.
Summer 2021 classes:
Schedule coming soon!
See all Sunday Parkways events
Learn more and stay connected:
The Pedestrian Safety Action Coalition
A Portland area coalition of community members made up of consumer and public organizations and volunteers, all collaborating to promote pedestrian safety. Some projects include raising awareness of Crosswalk and White Cane Laws and promoting White Cane Awareness. To get involved contact Committee Chair Mary Lee Turner at smilingmarylee@gmail.com or by calling 503-956–5088.