Celebrating Inclusivity: Disability Day in the Park Honors ADA's Legacy

By Leslie Hudgins

This year, for National Disability Day, the Family Future Empowerment Coalition will be hosting its second annual Disability Day In the Park. The celebration will be held at Cooper Creek Park, 5089 Cooper Creek Rd, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 26th. 

According to Latisha Spikes, the founder of this inclusive celebration, this day was chosen because it marks the day the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)was signed. "Without that, our people with disabilities wouldn't have any kind of rights, including accommodations like handicap ramps or parking spaces," shared Spikes.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) forbids discrimination against individuals with disabilities in several areas, such as the workplace, public accommodations, transit, communications, and state and local government services and programs. It was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, as the world's first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities. 

Family Future Empowerment Coalition, the organization behind the event, focuses on supporting parents of children with special needs. They offer support groups and resources aimed at addressing the challenges faced by these families. "In many cases, we see a lot of resources go to the children, but they forget that the parents are the ones who need support as well. So, I built an organization that supports the parents," Spike shared.

Held at Cooper Creek Park, the event is set to be multifaceted, combining a health fair with a family fun day. There will be a range of mobile clinics, including one from the Department of Veterans Affairs offering resources for people experiencing homelessness, Valley Healthcare's mobile clinic, and the health department's mobile vaccination unit providing COVID-19 and flu shots.

"Bringing these resources together is a significant step in addressing a constant complaint about lack of accessible resources," said Spikes.

In addition to these services, 25 local vendors will be present, offering resources and information from across the state. There will also be food trucks and entertainment, including games for kids, raffles, and information booths from organizations like the Down Syndrome Association and Parent to Parent of Alabama. For the parents to relax, there will be Tai Chi and meditation sessions, designed to be inclusive for individuals with mobility challenges. This event is designed to be a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

Spikes says that events like National Disability Day in the Park are crucial for communities like Columbus. As the largest city between Atlanta and Florida, Columbus serves as a hub for many rural towns that lack primary healthcare and other essential services. This event provides an opportunity for these communities to access resources they might otherwise miss.

For those interested in participating or becoming vendors at future events, information is available on its Facebook page, Families' Future Empowerment and Support Coalition, or on its website or by emailing familiesfutureempowerment1@outlook.com.