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From YouTube: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Day 2018
Description
Persons with disabilities celebrate on City Hall Plaza for ADA Day 2018. The annual event highlights the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prevents discrimination and ensures equal opportunities for this community.
A
A
C
Thank
You,
Jessica
and
I
want
to
start
off
by
welcoming
everybody
to
our
a
da
Day
celebration.
This
is
our
eighth
yeah.
Excuse
me,
our
seventh
annual
celebration
on
City
Hall
plaza,
and
we
are
thrilled
to
be
here
today
to
talk
about
the
civil
rights
law
that
was
passed
in
1990
I,
can't
believe
it's
been
28
years,
but
we
all
know
we've
come
a
long
way
in
those
28
years
and
we
still
have
a
long
way
to
go.
C
I'd
also
like
to
begin
by
thanking
mayor
Walsh
and
chief
Martinez
who's,
the
chief
of
the
Health
and
Human
Services
cabinet
for
the
City
of
Austin
I
want
to
thank
them
both
for
their
commitment
to
my
office,
but
also
to
persons
with
disabilities
throughout
the
city.
The
mayor
really
prioritizes
the
accessibility
of
inclusion
in
all
his
work,
and
we
can
see
that
the
changes
across
the
city,
starting
right
here
on
City
Hall
plaza
we've
done
a
lot
of
improvements
for
access
in
coordination
with
the
MBTA.
C
So,
like
I,
said
the
mayor,
prioritizes
accessibility
in
all
his
work
and
he
prioritizes
people
with
disabilities
by
supporting
my
office
through
my
incredible
staff
and
I'd
like
to
thank
them
all
for
their
hard
work
all
year
round
and
especially
their
hard
work
today.
So
if
my
staff
could
raise
their
hands
and
we
could
give
them
a
round
of
applause.
C
C
So,
like
I
said
earlier,
we're
here
to
celebrate
the
ADEA,
but
we're
also
here
to
celebrate
employment.
Every
year
we
took
a
theme
for
the
celebration
and
this
year
we
want
to
focus
on
employment
of
persons
with
disabilities,
and
there
are
a
few
reasons
for
that.
First
of
all,
I've
been
working
internally
on
a
city
policy,
about
accessibility
and
hiring
practices
and
I
know.
C
Chief
Martinez
will
talk
a
little
bit
about
other
policies
that
the
city
is
undertaking
to
improve
access,
but
we
also
have
a
long-standing
partnership
with
the
master
we
have
commissioned,
we've
been
working
with
them
for
seven
years.
Every
year
we
do
an
internship
program
with
Boston
residents
who
have
disabilities.
They
come
to
work
and
City
Hall
for
six
weeks
with
the
hope
and
expectation
of
applying
for
a
job
at
the
end.
So
we
owe
a
great
deal
of
gratitude
to
Masseria
for
finding
candidates
with
disabilities
who
are
seeking
jobs
and
helping
get
back
to
work.
C
Other
work
we
do
in
my
office.
We
do
programs
and
services
and,
as
I
mentioned
a
minute
ago,
a
lot
of
our
work
focuses
on
architectural
access.
We
work
to
improve
the
built
environment
of
the
city,
whether
it's
buildings,
sidewalks
streets
parks,
anything
that's
built
in
Boston.
We
try
to
accessibility
s
priority
and
on
that
note,
I
would
like
to
thank
the
advocates
who
are
here
for
literally
paving
the
way
across
the
city.
C
What
other
thing
I
want
to
mention
that
my
office
is
doing
is
an
accessibility
priority
survey.
We
kicked
this
off
last
year
at
80
a
day
and
it's
wrapping
up
at
the
end
of
this
month.
This
is
a
tool
that
we're
using
to
figure
out
what
the
priorities
should
be
for
us
to
focus
on
the
coming
years.
So
if
you
haven't
filled
it
out
yet
do
you
see
one
of
my
staff
and
we'd
love
to
get
your
input
on
priorities
across
the
city?
D
D
Want
to
thank
you
all
for
being
here
today
to
celebrate
the
20th
year
of
the
passage
of
the
ADA,
a
the
American
with
Disabilities
Act,
which
we
all
know
prohibits
discrimination
against
people
with
disabilities,
with
respect
to
employment,
transportation,
public
accommodations
communications
and
access
to
state
and
local
government
and
trusts.
When
I
say
standing
here
today
on
behalf
of
Commissioner
Prakash
and
Ameri,
that
we
stand
strong
through
this
leadership
to
make
sure
that
we
work
tirelessly
to
make
sure
bastions
a
place
where
all
people
have
the
same
opportunity
to
thrive.
D
D
One
of
the
things
that
I
wanted
stats
and
share
with
all
of
you.
It's
dumare
worcester,
commissioner
Macross.
His
leadership,
there's
many
things
that
have
been
more
city
to
help
us
address
some
of
these
issues.
Our
first
accessibility
survey
aims
at
collecting
information
to
learn
what
the
most
significant
accessibility
related
needs
are
in
Boston,
so
the
city
can
understand
that
those
needs
are
and
shape
them
through
its
strategic
priorities.
The
city's
advocated
for
increased
aging
built
out
units
and
city
funded
developments
with
the
golden
making
needed
elements
accessible
to
all.
D
During
the
weekend
of
the
2018
that
Boston
Marathon
the
disabilities
Commission
join
with
the
office
of
new
urban
mechanics,
an
area
to
link
individuals
who
are
blind
or
have
low
vision
with
an
app
that
provides
real-time
access
to
a
sighted
guide.
This
was
the
first
ever
accessible
marathon
in
the
city
of
Boston,
and
it
speaks
Jeff
was
here
for
that.
D
And
what
it
speaks
to
is
Commissioner
positive
leadership
and
their
team,
which
is
to
not
just
settle
for
what
we're
doing
today.
But
how
do
we
think
about
the
next
type
of
resources,
the
next
level
of
opportunities?
How
do
we
make
sure
that
we
make
the
city
as
accessible
as
possible
that
as
applicable
as
possible,
not
just
something
for
what
we're
doing.
D
A
disability
forum
to
make
sure
folks
have
access
to
issues
and
feedback,
whether
it's
the
transportation
summit,
to
ensure
that
folks
can
get
opinions
of
dots
of
automaticity
at
even
stronger
plays.
The
cities
also
worked
with
the
language,
access
and
city
services
and
communication.
It's
a
citywide
language
and
communication
access
to
teacher
plan
to
make
sure
folks
can
have
access
and
reach
all
the
communications
that
our
city
has
they're,
navigating
the
early
implementation
phase
and
again
it's
about
making
sure
that
the
work
brings
accessibility
to
all
corners
of
our
community.
D
So
as
we
celebrate
all
the
accomplishments
and
as
we
celebrate
all
the
work
that
the
folks
have
done
in
all
of
community
providers
and
activists,
my
one
challenge
to
you
to
join
with
me
is:
let's
make
sure
we
continue
to
raise
our
voices
sometimes
in
celebration.
We
forget
that
we
have
to
raise
our
voices
to
ensure
all
of
our
needs
get
met,
and
it's
important
that
we
do
that
here.
D
E
Thank
you
very
much.
Marty
want
to
thank
you.
Chief
Martinez
feel
great
work.
I
wanted
a
commission
of
m'gosh
and
a
team
at
the
disabilities
Commission
for
doing
such
incredible
work
in
our
city
for
many
many
years
here,
members
of
the
disability
advisory
board.
Thank
you
for
being
in
with
us
today.
All
the
advocates
that
are
here
thank
you
for
being
here
as
well,
and
thank
you
more
importantly,
for
all
your
advocacy,
both
here
and
in
the
state
and
the
federal
level.
E
I
also
want
to
just
make
a
couple
of
mentions
of
a
few
people
that
are
here.
We're
joined
by
city
councilor,
Eddy
Flynn
is
where
that
state
councilor
Flynn
with
us.
Today
we
have
Emily
Shay
who's,
the
Commissioner
of
elderly
Affairs
Emily.
Thank
you,
Commissioner
shade,
Alejandra
stinky
and
our
office
of
immigrant
advancement
is
here
with
us.
E
Thank
you,
our
honor,
for
being
with
us
today,
and
our
Commissioner
of
Veterans
Services
Australia,
Thank,
You
Commissioner
for
being
with
us
today
and
I
want
to
thank
so
many
other
people
too,
and
I'll
get
you
as
hopefully,
I'll
get
you
as
we're
moving
forward
yet
but
I'm
proud
to
join.
You
in
celebrating
a
DA
day
and
civil
rights
for
people
with
disabilities.
The
city
of
Boston
is
committed
to
equally
and
empowering
all
people.
E
We
worked
hard
to
ensure
that
residents
and
visitors
fully
are
included
in
our
city
life
and
all
the
opportunities
that
this
city
has
to
offer.
A
crucial
part
of
our
success
is
access
for
people
with
disabilities.
We
recently
completed
a
full
renovation
of
the
Boston
City
Council
chamber
and
we
made
it
a
VA
compliant
where,
in
the
past,
people
worried
very
difficult
time
accessing
the
wall
of
the
chamber
and
that's
no
longer
the
case.
This
makes
it
possible
people
with
disabilities
said
actively
participate
in
their
local
government.
E
E
This
probably
model
of
inclusion
and
accessibility,
so
kids
of
all
abilities
can
play
together
and
we're
going
to
be
doing
that
in
all
the
will
everywhere
that
that
that
program
and
all
of
our
parks-
but
we
know
true-
access
to
inclusion-
is
more
than
just
ramps
and
sidewalks
and
parking
spaces.
It
only
happens
when
people
with
disabilities
are
given
equal
opportunity
participant
to
participate
in
every
aspect
of
society
that
includes
voting
transportation,
education
and
jobs.
E
What
thinking
about
how
to
improve
access,
and,
in
short,
true
inclusion
and
everything
that
we
do?
These
are
the
values
that
we
care
deeply
about
in
the
City
of
Austin.
For
the
past
seven
years,
we've
been
working
with
an
agency
who
shares
these
values.
The
Massachusetts
rehabilitation
Commission,
the
MRC,
has
been
a
great
partner
to
us
and
we
want
to
recognize
them
now.
E
F
I
just
want
to
say
on
behalf
of
Commissioner
wolf
and
the
Massachusetts
rehabilitation,
Commission
I
sincerely
thank
Mara
wash
and
Commissioner
Micajah
for
this
honor
I
want
to
acknowledge
the
strong
partnership
between
the
mass
rehab
Commission
and
the
City
of
Boston
for
over
seven
years,
providing
internship
and
mentorship
to
individuals
with
disabilities
that
have
resulted
in
not
just
internship
and
mentorship
but
competitive
employment.
A
thank
you
commission
of
akash
for
your
dedication
to
this
project
and
paris
to
the
MRC
staff.
In
particular.
F
Harvey
Gilligan
met
Mourad
in
the
staff
at
the
Roxbury
and
downtown
office
of
the
mass
rehab
Commission.
For
your
commitment
to
the
success
of
this
internship
I
just
want
to
say
that,
20
years
after
the
passing
of
the
a
da,
the
unemployment
rate,
individuals
with
disabilities
is
still
unacceptably
high.
F
However,
I'm
pleased
to
report
the
pensive
MRC
staff
and
our
employer
partners,
including
the
city
of
Boston,
but
the
MRC,
continues
to
use
innovative
strategies,
including
this
internship
project,
to
the
City
job-driven
training
and
hiring
events
among
others
that
have
resulted
in
4050
3
individuals
with
disabilities.
Obtaining
competitive,
integrated
employment.
F
C
You
very
much
Joe
and
on
that
note
we
have
one
of
our
former
interns
who
was
hired
by
the
city
of
Boston
here
today,
just
to
say
a
few
words
about
her
experience
and
what
a
benefit
it
was
to
go
through
the
internship
program
and
end
up
with
a
job
at
the
end
of
the
summer.
So
I'd
like
to
welcome
Alice.
C
She's
coming
up
now,
where
I
have
a
minute,
I
would
like
to
invite
my
chief
of
staff
to
the
podium
and
also
our
main
contact
with
the
mass
rehab
Commission
Marga
Gilligan
who's
been
working
with
us
for
seven
years
tirelessly
to
find
us
candidates
and
work
hard
on
prepping
them
getting
job
descriptions
together
and
just
really
working
your
tail
off
to
get
this
internship
program
running.
So
we
have
a
little
thank
you
for
Margot.
We
just
want
to
present
to
her
and
I'd
like
to
give
us
a
round
of
applause
for
Marty.
G
So
I
just
like
to
say
thank
you
to
the
Commissioner,
Micajah
and
I
just
been
doing
it
and
all
their
staff
for
all
the
hard
work
that
they
do
on
behalf
of
our
you
know:
candidates
with
individual
individuals
with
disabilities
that
you
know
we've
worked
with
together
and
it's
been
a
great
run.
Seven
years
and
you
know
a
lot
of
our
individuals
are
now
employed
and
we're
waiting
for
Alice
green
who's
coming
up
now
who
works
for
the
city
to
speak?
Thank
you.
A
Train,
so
we
don't
want
to
rush
her.
We
want
her
to
be
able
to
have
her
speaking
portion
and
then
be
able
to
get
back.
So
the
one
quick
thing
is
that
I
wanted
to
say
so:
Boston
Center
for
Independent
Living.
As
Chief
Martinez
said
we
have
to
keep
raising
our
voices
and
we
have
to
keep
advocating
for
Disability
Rights
Boston
Center,
the
Center
for
Independent
Living.
A
Can
see
Colin
in
the
back
who's
waving
his
hand,
and
so,
if
you'd,
like
more
information
about
the
work
that
they're
doing
specifically
related
to
legislation
and
Disability
Rights,
specifically
related
to
architectural
access
in
offices
and
workspaces,
you
can
talk
to
Colin
in
the
back
under
the
tent
or
Shay
up
French
as
well.
I
think
they're
going
to
be
meeting
after
the
speaking
portion
under
the
10:00
and
so
now
I
think.
Now
without
further
ado,
we
have
Alice
cream.
H
H
Thank
you
so
for
those
who
are
attending
mass
rehab
and
other
programs
like
that
I
say
definitely
when
you
do
internships
poodles
enjoy,
especially
if
they're
paid,
but
don't
let
that
stop
you
to
volunteering
and
continuing
to
take
hold
of
the
opportunity
to
go
back
and
grab
whatever
useful
issue
felt
before
whatever
say.
Would
you
repair
your
usefulness
in
your
strength
and.
H
There
are
so
many
people
who
will
help
you
to
do
that.
If
you
would
just
say
yes
here
and
I
want
to
be
I,
don't
know
if
that
helps
and
their
decision
to
continue,
but
definitely
so
gratifying,
and
you
know
what
I
think
that
thing
that
you
do,
because
you
love
to
do
it
doesn't
really
feel
the
time
despised
by.
So
thank
you
for
having
me
again.
I
wish
it
was
saying
a
couple
of
words,
much
success
to
each
and
every
one
of
you.
Thank
you.
C
Thanks
again
to
Alison
brushed
over
here
on
her
lunch
hour
and
that's
to
get
right
back
to
her
I
also
just
wanted
to
give
one
more
shout
out
to
mass
rehab,
because
I
was
also
a
master.
We
have
client
after
high
school
I
didn't
know
what
I
wanted
to
do.
I
didn't
know
what
I
could
do,
but
I
knew
I
wanted
to
go
to
work,
so
I
signed
up
as
a
client
of
mass
rehab
and
they
helped
guide
me
through
the
process
of
figuring
out
what
my
skills
were.
C
C
With
that,
we
just
want
to
wrap
it
up
and
thank
everybody
again
for
coming
to
our
ETA
Day
celebration.
We
look
forward
to
seeing
you
here
again
next
year
and
make
sure
you
keep
a
look
out
for
all
the
improvements
that
are
coming
on
City
Hall
plaza
and
at
Boston
City
Hall
to
increase
ABA
compliance
in
both
areas
have
a
great
day.
Everybody.