Media Relations Contact:
Morgan Lyons

July 26, 2000

Americans with Disabilities Act 10th Anniversary

DART Celebrates Landmark Access Law, Honors Organizations, Community Leaders

DART marked the 10th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Wednesday, July 26, with a special celebration entitled "Transportation, A Common Thread: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow" in the Plaza Ballroom of the Le Meridien Hotel in downtown Dallas.

Featured speakers included DART President/Executive Director Roger Snoble, DART Executive Vice President/General Manager, Operations Victor Burke and Ralph Rouse, U.S. Department of Human Services, Office of Civil Rights. In addition, DART, along with its Paratransit Access Advisory Group, presented awards to individuals and agencies that have contributed to efforts to provide access, opportunities and awareness to people with disabilities.

"These individuals have been valuable partners in helping us achieve our goal -- and the goal of the ADA -- to ensure access to everyone. We appreciate their continued support and involvement in our efforts," said Doug Douglas, DART vice president, Paratransit Services.

Honorees included: Curtis Howell, Dallas Morning News; Dave Brown, Reunion Arena/American Airlines Center; Allen Harper, VA Medical Center; Victor H. Burke, DART; Mike Hubbell, DART; Stacey Rogers, Garland/Metrocrest Rehabilitation; Judy Elimelech, Dallas County Community College District/Richland College; Reach of Dallas; Ralph Rouse, U.S. Department of Human Services, Office of Civil Rights; Business Advisory Council, El Centro College and Gene Humpel, Dallas Mayors' Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities.

Several area human service agencies joined DART in hosting information booths during the celebration. Some of the participating organizations were: Goodwill Industries of Dallas, Inc.; United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Dallas; The Arc of Dallas; Amputee Coalition of America; American Cancer Society; Coalition of Texans with Disabilities; American Council of the Blind; Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind; Dallas Area Rehabilitation Association; Social Development Systems; REACH of Dallas and Advocacy, Inc.

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