Minnesotans celebrate ADA anniversary, their own resiliency

The virtual celebration of the 31st Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in Minnesota focused on how individuals with disabilities coped with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and their plans for the future.

Self-advocates shared their experiences and expressed the resilience of the disability community during the pandemic. Adaptation and the potential permanence of changes made during the pandemic were recurring themes, with an emphasis on the hardships faced by people with disabilities.

The event featured performances by jazz guitarist Sam Miltich and Duluth-based BOLD-choice Theatre Company and speakers discussing mental health impacts, vaccination efforts, and the disproportionate effects on BIPOC community members. Employment and the remote work question were addressed by Peter Berg of the Great Lakes ADA Center, emphasizing the need for a disability-related reason for remote work as a reasonable accommodation.