Bloomington, Indiana – The City of Bloomington is preparing to honor the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a vibrant and inclusive community celebration on Saturday, August 2. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Fernandez Plaza outside City Hall, located at 401 N. Morton Street, right alongside the popular Bloomington Farmer’s Market. In case of rain, activities will be moved indoors to the City Hall Atrium.
Organized by the City of Bloomington’s Council for Community Accessibility (CCA), the celebration aims to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility and disability inclusion while connecting residents with local resources and organizations. It promises to be a family-friendly event with games, prizes, engaging activities, informational booths, and even cookies.
“The ADA is a civil rights law that ensures that people with disabilities have equal access to employment, education, public spaces, and services open to the public.”
Multiple local organizations will be present to showcase the range of services and programs available to people with disabilities. These include the Bloomington/Monroe County Human Rights Commission, Bloomington Volunteer Network, IU Institute on Disability and Community, Mobility Aids Lending Library (MALL), Southern Indiana Center for Independent Living (SICIL), Special Olympics, Stone Belt, and The Front Porch, Bloomington’s new community gathering trailer.
City departments such as Planning and Transportation and the Council for Community Accessibility itself will also host booths, offering information about ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive city.
“The celebration will highlight accessibility for Bloomington residents by featuring local organizations offering resources, services, or peer-led programs for residents with disabilities.”
The Council for Community Accessibility, founded in 1990, has worked alongside the City since its inception to improve access to public facilities, shape local policy through community feedback, and support initiatives that empower individuals with disabilities. The group was established the same year the ADA became federal law.
The ADA, signed into law on July 26, 1990, is a landmark civil rights measure that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in nearly every area of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and public and private places open to the general public. Over the past three and a half decades, the ADA has played a crucial role in promoting independence, inclusion, and opportunity.
The August 2 celebration in Bloomington is not just a chance to look back on the progress made since 1990—it’s also an opportunity for residents to recommit to building a more accessible and welcoming community for everyone.
“Attendees can enjoy informational booths, resource displays, engaging activities, games, prizes, and cookies all aimed at fostering a more accessible community.”
The event is free and open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to stop by, meet local advocates, learn about available resources, and take part in the celebration.
For more details about the Council for Community Accessibility or to get involved, visit bloomington.in.gov/cca or contact Special Projects Coordinator Michael Shermis at [email protected] or 812-349-3478.
