Hundreds of participants marched in downtown Chicago for the 12th annual Disability Pride Parade on Saturday. The event coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ), a landmark decision that forever changed how disabled individuals are treated in this country.
More than 40 organizations showed their support in the march that began around 11 a.m. at Plymouth Court, on the corner of Plymouth and Van Buren, and finished at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., at noon. While they marched, onlookers cheered loudly and showed their support.
One of the marchers was Laura Hall, who works for the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition and is a member of Michigan ADAPT, which provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities, persons with mental illness, and persons in need of vocational skills and employment.
It was her first time in the parade, and as she spoke about it she had a huge smile on her face.
"It's something special that I wanted to spend with the community," she said, "and I wanted to be around people like me and see all the differences and the uniqueness."
At the plaza, the participants were entertained with free food, guest speakers and live performances for the next few hours.
Retired U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin ( D-Iowa )—the chief sponsor and co-author of the ADA—served as the grand marshal for the event.
"This is a great day Chicago!" he exclaimed proudly at the plaza. "Twenty five years ago we said no to intolerance, we said no to discrimination, we said no to prejudice, we said no to fear, and we passed the American Disabilities Act."
But while the day marked a time for celebration, Sen. Harkin said that the fight for disabled rights is far from over, especially when it comes to their economic plight.
"We have a lot to celebrate, but we can't celebrate yet," he said. "Because too many [disabled people] are unemployed and too many want to work and can work."
Groups that performed in the plaza during the festivities included flutist Jose Perugachi, the Praetorium Signing Church, the Momenta Dance Group, Chris Foreman, Brenda Moore and Willie the Blues Man.
