County Managing Director William Takaba, right, proclaims July 26, 2010, as Americans with Disabilities Act Awareness Day with Paige De Lima and Wes Tanigawa, the newly elected chair and vice chair, respectively, of the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities. (Photo courtesy of The Mayor's Office)

MEDIA RELEASE

A proclamation naming July 26, 2010, Americans with Disabilities Act Awareness Day in the County of Hawaii was presented Friday to Paige De Lima and Wes Tanigawa in the Mayor’s Office in Hilo.

De Lima and Tanigawa are the new chair and vice chair, respectively, of the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities.

The committee, whose members have a significant interest in aiding people with disabilities, advises the Mayor and provides guidelines to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

County Managing Director William Takaba made the presentation.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed July 26, 1990, to ensure the civil rights of individuals with disabilities. The proclamation also recognizes the partnership that the County of Hawaii has established with Hawaii Centers for Independent Living and the ARC of Hilo in the development and operation of the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).

The Abled Artists Show will be celebrating the anniversary of the ADA beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 24 in Prince Kuhio Plaza. Disability Rights Hawaii has its regular meeting scheduled noon-2 p.m. Tuesday, July 27 at the ADRC in Hilo with invited speakers on various disability topics.

The public is invited to these meetings.