The month of July — which is National Disability Pride Month — is coming to a close, and the Georgia office of Walton Options for Independent Living will be rounding it off festively.
On July 26, 1990, then President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), prohibiting discrimination based on disability. Walton Options will culminate its observance with the ADA 33 Community Celebration.
The event will be free, open to the public and full of all the accouterments of a proper festival: food trucks with hot dogs, hamburgers and sweets, face painting, activities and games.
“As a center for independent living, we annually celebrate the anniversary of the ADA,” said Development Specialist Rashella Harris. “Our first Open Community Celebration is this year, but we hope it will grow into an annual event.”
One of the planned highlights of the bazaar is an adaptive video game exhibition. The center has partnered with the Georgia Tech Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI), which, through its Tools for Life program, developed a state-of-the-art racing game much like the popular Nintendo game “Mario Kart,” said Harris.
“The game allows users with physical disabilities to play with modified controllers,” she said. “Players who lack hand function can even play using special glasses that will enable them to control their character using their eyesight. It’s very cool.”
The event will also include an options and resource fair, where visitors can get information on a wide variety of issues, ranging from self-advocacy to life skills training, Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) services to adaptive sports, and even how to vote.
“We have multiple dedicated teams that provide services and resources to the community,” said Harris, adding that they “provide options and resources that cover every aspect of life to help people with disabilities fulfill their goal of living a more independent life.”
Walton Options for Independent Living will host the ADA 33 Community Celebration on Monday, July 31 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 948 Walton Way. While the event is free to the public, prospective attendees may still RSVP by visiting here.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
