This will be the first time DRI will open to the public since their move in March 2020. The Open House will be from 2:00 – 4:00pm in their new offices.
DES MOINES, Iowa — July offers our community a time to celebrate the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to reflect on the advancements of Disability Rights and to discuss opportunities for further advancement and protection of Disability Rights. The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush and prohibits discrimination against a person with a disability. To celebrate this time in Disability Rights history, DRI will host an Open House on July 25th, from 2-4pm in their offices and open to the public permanently starting the day after. DRI invites everyone from our community to join us during the open house. Once there, guests can tour offices, meet the DRI team, the new executive director, celebrate the signing of the ADA, and experience the “F E E L” exhibit from Jill Wells – on tour at the DRI offices.
Welcoming remarks will be made by Catherine Johnson starting at 2:15pm, followed by Jill Wells, local Des Moines artist. Jill will speak about the impact the ADA has had on her life and her work. The mural Jill painted about the history of the Disability Civil Rights Movement in DRI’s lobby will be available to view in-person. After the celebration of the ADA, Jane Hudson, will be honored for her nine years of service as DRI’s Executive Director before retiring last year. The Open House is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served, and the public is free to come and go as they please.
Disability Rights Iowa’s Executive Director, Catherine Johnson, states “DRI remains committed to advancing the full promise of the ADA of equal opportunity, self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion for all. DRI is proud to finally be opening our offices to the public as we spend the day celebrating the ADA and the progress made over the past thirty-two years, and reflect on how much more work remains to achieve the promises of equity and inclusion for all individuals with disabilities.”
CART and ASL will be provided for this event. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend Disability Rights Iowa events. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this event, please email us at contact@driowa.org before Monday, July 18th at 11:59am.
