Oakland County will mark a milestone in civil rights history with a public celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, at the Oakland County Circuit Court Courtyard. The event aims to honor the ADA’s legacy, celebrate community members with disabilities, and reaffirm the county’s commitment to inclusion and access.
Signed into law in 1990, the ADA outlawed discrimination against individuals with physical, mental, and cognitive disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, government services, and more. It was a transformative moment for all people with disabilities—and particularly for Black Americans, who are disproportionately impacted by disabling conditions like diabetes, and often face intersecting barriers to healthcare, employment, and social mobility.
“The Americans with Disabilities Act was a transformative moment in our nation’s history and Oakland County remains committed to upholding its spirit and intent,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “This event honors the strength and contributions of the disability community and reaffirms our pledge to equity and access for everyone.”
Black communities experience higher rates of chronic illness, including diabetes, a leading cause of disability. According to the CDC, Black adults are nearly twice as likely as white adults to be diagnosed with diabetes, which can lead to complications such as amputations, vision loss, and mobility challenges. For many, the ADA represents a vital shield against systemic inequities that have long gone unaddressed.
At the celebration, Coulter will be joined by several notable advocates and community leaders, including keynote speaker Erica Coulston, co-founder of Walk The Line Recovery Therapy; emcee Sam Jenkins of Empowering Communities w. Sam Jenkins; and Oakland County’s Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Harry Weaver.
Weaver, a respected voice in the DEI space for more than two decades, brings a personal and professional lens to the event. His career includes roles at Chippewa Valley School District, the Anti-Defamation League, and as an independent consultant focused on inclusive practices.
“The ADA laid the foundation for making America more accessible to individuals who live with disabilities, like me,” said Weaver. “As we mark 35 years, we need to continue to create spaces where people of all abilities are respected, empowered and included.”
Coulston, who sustained a C6/7 spinal cord injury in 2001 at just 23 years old, leads Walk The Line using principles of neuroplasticity to offer rehabilitation across a wide range of diagnoses. Her advocacy underscores the ongoing need for vigilance in protecting the rights guaranteed by the ADA.
“This year as we celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was enacted to prohibit discrimination based on disability and guarantees equal access for people with disabilities, we are reminded of the need to remain vigilant in protecting these rights,” said Coulston. “With crucial government programs in jeopardy, the disabled community calls on our neighbors, local businesses and government officials to protect our right to equal access. The time is now for us to unify our voices to celebrate and safeguard this essential law — The ADA.”
Oakland County Parks Recreation Program Supervisor Sandy Dorey emphasized the personal power behind the speakers’ messages.
“Our speakers are very passionate about protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and they have many lived experiences to share,” Dorey said. “Their personal stories are compelling and will demonstrate ways that all of us can help support inclusivity for everyone.”
The ADA Celebration Event will include inclusive and adaptive sports demonstrations, yard games designed for all ages and abilities, food trucks, and meet-and-greets with local organizations that serve the disability community.
The county’s Adaptive Recreation program will also be featured, showcasing year-round offerings such as social events for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, sports for people with physical disabilities, and signature events like Disability Dirt Day—where participants enjoy off-road adventures at Holly Oaks ORV Park—and Dreams and Wings, which offers airplane rides.
The 35th anniversary of the ADA is moment to reflect on how far society has come and how far it still has to go, particularly for Black communities that remain at the intersection of disability, economic inequality, and health disparities.
For more information about the ADA Celebration Event, visit OaklandCountyParks.com.
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