2026 ADA Celebration Events

36th anniversary of the ADA

In July 2026, the Oregon Disabilities Commission, Northwest ADA Center and Disability Rights Oregon will host a weekly webinar series to recognize and celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

The series will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. PACIFIC TIME on Tuesdays throughout July and will launch on Tuesday, July 7. Everyone is welcome to participate. More information on each session is provided below. 

JULY 14, JULY 21, JULY 28:
Register for the series on Zoom

JULY 7 (Scroll to top of Page):

View past recordings and materials
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Week #2 – Inclusive Emergency Management Panelists will explain common communication and transportation barriers and the gaps people with disabilities face before and after disasters. Participants will learn what inclusive emergency planning looks like and how to ensure everyone gets equal support during emergencies.

Week #3 – ADA: Progress and Future Needs The ADA has improved access to jobs, education, transportation, and public life, but barriers still exist. This session explores how attitudes toward disability continue to affect accessibility. Two lawyers with disabilities will discuss the ADA’s impact, ongoing challenges, and what the future of disability rights may look like.

Week #4 – DOJ’s New Digital Accessibility Rule This session explains the Department of Justice’s new rule on digital accessibility for public agencies. Attendees will learn about requirements, timelines, and common issues with websites and digital tools. We’ll also discuss why accessibility overlays and automated tools don’t always provide meaningful access.

American Sign Language (ASL), Communication Access Real Time (CART) captioning, and Spanish Language translating will be provided. For questions about accessibility or to request an accommodation, please contact the Oregon Disabilities Commission at OregonDisabilities.Commission@odhsoha.oregon.gov

REGISTER: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mjZIQ_qUTXevhgx4udBVvQ?mc_cid=e0d0b6a5b5&mc_eid=9f18e8d434#/registration

How will Ohio ensure that medically vulnerable beneficiaries do not lose coverage because of documentation and procedural barriers? This 10:00 AM webinar will provide background, define the stakes, and outline actions attendees can take, including submitting public comments on the Interim Final Rule, which is due by the end of July. Register for the webinar.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released its Interim Final Rule implementing the Medicaid community engagement provisions enacted in H.R. 1. Advocates have still had questions, including how medical frailty would be defined, how many beneficiaries would require assessment, and what demands the policy could place on Ohio’s eligibility system.

How will Ohio ensure that medically vulnerable beneficiaries do not lose coverage because of documentation and procedural barriers rather than true ineligibility?

This webinar will give the background, define the stakes, and offer actions attendees can take, including submitting public comments on the Interim Final Rule, due by the end of July.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Fact Sheet: Medicaid Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals Interim Final Rule with Comment Period (CMS-2454-IFC)

https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicaid-community-engagement-requirement-certain-individuals-interim-final-rule-comment-period-cms?mc_cid=e0d0b6a5b5&mc_eid=9f18e8d434

Do I meet Medicaid’s new work requirements?

https://www.communitysolutions.com/resources/do-i-meet-medicaids-new-work-requirements?mc_cid=e0d0b6a5b5&mc_eid=9f18e8d434

REGISTER: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/39vvccc

This year we celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, and the 36^th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. When President George H. W. Bush signed the ADA into law, he said we celebrated “another ‘independence day,’ … long overdue” for people with disabilities.

Join us for this session as we revisit some of the pivotal events of the disability rights movement, recognize some of the pioneers who led the way, and acknowledge the power of community that keeps us moving forward on the journey from isolation to inclusion of people with disabilities.

REGISTER: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/39vvccc

American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is hosting a policy webinar on July 14 from 2 – 3:30 PM ET about the new Medicaid work requirements and what they may mean for disabled people. Starting on January 1, 2027, these requirements will significantly impact many Medicaid beneficiaries.

Panelists Rachel Patterson from Patterson&Meek and Jennifer Lav from the National Health Law Program will discuss how disabled people may be affected by the work requirements, what may vary from state to state, and what questions people should be asking now.

The webinar will be hosted on Zoom. Audience members will have the chance to ask questions. ASL interpretation and CART captioning will be provided.

Register for the webinar at https://ow.ly/a70e50ZlLre.

ID: Graphic of a calendar highlighting the Medicaid Work Requirements Webinar

Jul 14, 2026 03:00 PM ET

REGISTER: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3fKo3onqS32jGMDinCiC0g#/registration

Join the Pacific ADA Center Pacific ADA Center(link is external) for our next 2026 Lunch and Learn Webinar of the year – Effective Communication under the ADA: A Deeper Dive! Explore what the requirements are for effective communication under the ADA and learn specific information about requesting the type of communication you need.

Learning objectives

• Participants who need an American Sign Language interpreter will learn how to specify what type of interpreter they need.
• Participants with vision disabilities will discover the type of alternative format or other communication aid or service that works best to help them read and understand written communications.
• Participants with speech disabilities will learn about requesting extra time for appointments and other modifications they may need to communicate effectively.

Registration Deadline: Monday, July 13, 2026

REGISTER: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3fKo3onqS32jGMDinCiC0g#/registration

Stephen Hopkins (March 7, 1707 – July 13, 1785) a person with cerebral palsy, was an American political leader from Rhode Island who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Many medical historians believe his signature on the Declaration – second in size only to that of John Hancock – is evidence that he had a disabling condition believed to be cerebral palsy.   Hopkins is known for saying, “my hands may tremble, my heart does not.” He served as the Chief Justice and Governor of the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and was a Delegate to the Colonial Congress in Albany in 1754 and to the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776. Hopkins was also the first chancellor of the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (predecessor to Brown University) in conjunction with the presidency of the Baptist Reverend James Manning.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXGOV/bulletins/15e4d2

https://constitutioncenter.org/signers/stephen-hopkins

https://www.dnswm.org/qa-founding-father-with-cerebral-palsy/

Caesar Rodney (1728–1784), a Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, suffered from severe health issues. He was a person with both advanced facial cancer and chronic asthma. He ultimately succumbed to facial cancer in 1784. Despite being seriously ill, he made a famous 80-mile “midnight ride” on horseback in 1776 to cast a tie-breaking vote for independence while physically frail. At age twenty-seven, he was appointed sheriff of Kent County; a series of local and significant offices followed with impressive speed indicating the rigorous public life to come. No Delawarean since has come close to holding the sheer number of his many significant offices.

https://www.dsdi1776.com/signer/caesar-rodney/

https://www.history.com/articles/founding-father-you-never-heard-of-caesar-rodney

https://constitutioncenter.org/signers/caesar-rodney

Dorrian Green Park – In Front of COSI – 50 S. Belle St. Columbus Ohio 43215

Sunday, July 12 • 1 PM – 5 PM

FREE: REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/12th-annual-all-disabilities-festival-tickets-1977605377921

The 12th Annual All Disabilities Festival 2026: Christmas in July is a FREE, family-friendly celebration designed for individuals of ALL abilities. This powerful community event brings together families, organizations, and businesses to celebrate inclusion, accessibility, and joy.

Over 4,000 attendees expected
Free toys and giveaways for children and families
Live entertainment and performances
Interactive activities for all abilities
Community resources and vendor booths
A safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for everyone

Whether you’re coming to enjoy the day, connect with resources, or support the mission—this is where community comes together!

The 12th Annual All Disabilities Festival is a joyful, inclusive celebration designed for individuals and families of all abilities. This city-wide event brings together community partners, entertainment, resource providers, and fun activities that uplift, empower, and connect people from across Columbus.

Attendees can expect a vibrant “Christmas in July” experience featuring music, live performances, adaptive activities, sensory-friendly zones, games, giveaways, vendors, food trucks, and community resources. Our festival welcomes everyone—people with disabilities, families, caregivers, educators, advocates, and supporters—creating a space where everyone belongs.

Join us for a day filled with unity, celebration, and unforgettable moments as we honor the beauty, strength, and limitless possibilities of our disability community.

Dorrian Green Park – In Front of COSI – 50 S. Belle St. Columbus Ohio 43215

FREE: REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/12th-annual-all-disabilities-festival-tickets-1977605377921

REGISTER: https://events.yangtaninstitute.org/e/11379/register

Join the Northeast ADA Center as we bring back a popular topic—accessible parking! We will review the ADA Standards for Design that apply to accessible parking spaces and also discuss some of the common questions we receive about accessible parking on our technical assistance line.

REGISTER: https://events.yangtaninstitute.org/e/11379/register

REGISTER: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YqPOGlswQmmcVAFnb2vhLg#/registration

national Trends in Disability Employment nTide

Jul 2, 2026 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

• 12:00 pm: Welcome
• 12:10 pm: Overview of National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) Jobs Report Release
• 12:40 pm: News from the field of Disability Employment
• 12:55 pm: Guest Panelist(s)
• 1:15 pm: Open Question & Answer period for attendees

For more information on each month you can visit https://www.researchondisability.org/ntide-episodes-list

REGISTER: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YqPOGlswQmmcVAFnb2vhLg#/registration