AccessChicago, the Midwest's Largest Expo for People with Disabilities, Returns to Navy Pier July 15, 2010

Celebrating 20th Anniversaries of the ADA and Chicago's MOPD

The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) will host AccessChicago, the City’s 12th products and services expo for people with disabilities on Thursday, July 15, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Festival Hall A at Navy Pier.

The free event will also serve as the City’s official celebration of two important milestones in the disability community: the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 20th anniversary of Chicago’s MOPD.

Sponsored by MOPD, NBC-5 and the Chicago Park District, the expo promotes the independence and inclusion of people with all types of disabilities by showcasing Chicago’s wide range of accessible venues, products and services.

“It is our privilege and pleasure to host AccessChicago 2010,” stated MOPD Commissioner Karen Tamley. “The expo addresses all aspects of community life in the areas of employment, assistive devices, independent living services, educational programs, transportation, housing and recreation - all with the goal of promoting independence and opportunity for people with disabilities.”

“Chicago has a very active and involved disability community and this event helps connect families with disabilities to valuable community based services and programs, and introduces them to all of the wonderful resources out available to people with disabilities of all ages,” Tamley added.

More than 100 vendors will provide disability-related information and invite attendees to test products, assistive devices and participate in a variety of accessible sports and recreation activities, with the goal of promoting independence and opportunity for people with disabilities.

Highlights include:

Employment workshops and individualized services for job seekers with disabilities
Scales ‘n Tales Petting Zoo, providing interactive sensory experiences for children and adults with disabilities
A variety of arts and crafts workshops sponsored by Chicago’s top museums
Adaptive fishing, rowing and climbing walls
Enabling gardening and accessible activities for people with disabilities of all ages
A 3-on-3 Wheelchair Basketball Challenge

One out of every five people in America has a disability and there are over one million people living with disabilities in the Chicago area.

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