The Chinatown Partnership, in collaboration with Art Beyond Sight, Disability Pride and support from the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, celebrated ADA's legacy by promoting access for all with this inclusive festival. The 2016 Chinatown Disability Pride ADA Birthday Party, had educators and artists from cultural organizations educating and entertaining visitors of all abilities. People were able learn about offerings from NYC government organizations, and agencies providing services to people with disabilities.

More than 5,000 disabled people rolled, motored and strolled up Broadway to Madison Square Park on Sunday for the second annual Disability Pride Parade, one of the largest gatherings celebrating and advocating for disability rights in New York City.

The following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message for the twenty-sixth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, in New York, today:

I am pleased to send my warmest greetings to the annual New York City Disability Pride Parade. Please accept my best wishes as you celebrate the twenty-sixth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I commend the leading role of New York City in showing the world the pride that people with disabilities have in exercising their civil rights and freedoms.

New York celebrated the second annual Disability Pride with a colorful parade, marching from Union Square Park to Madison Square Park. Disability Pride NYC is a non-profit started by Mike LeDonne who’s 10 year old daughter is disabled. The mission of Disability Pride NYC is to promote inclusion, awareness, and visibility of people with disabilities, and redefine public perception of disability. Their goal is to establish an annual Disability Pride parade in New York City and to support people with disabilities in whatever way they can.

Many who have declining health feel ashamed of their bodies, and in time, may also feel ashamed of themselves. Friends stop reaching out as health issues just sound like “drama” to most people who have never faced a health crisis. Some have been forced to leave behind a career, or dreams they once held dear. Although it sounds harsh, it’s not uncommon at all for family members to tease or bully as individuals change physically and/or mentally, leaving them extremely self conscious. People can be very judgmental of body shapes, walking aids, and challenges they don’t understand.

Hearing Restoration Project's John Brigande, Ph.D., discusses how he copes with both hearing loss and vertigo, in and out of the lab.

It's time for a new understanding of disability, especially in the arts" - by Lane Harwell, Executive Director, Dance/NYC

Read more of his article on Fox News online.

NYC TO CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT WITH PARTY

Chinatown Partnership and Art Beyond Sight will host a birthday party and arts festival throughout streets in Chinatown to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA25). This event is free and open to the public. In light of the celebration, local businesses in Chinatown -- a minimally accessible neighborhood of New York City – have made new commitments to augment the accessibility of their venues.

Chinatown Partnership and Art Beyond Sight will host a birthday party and arts festival throughout streets in Chinatown to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA25). This event is free and open to the public. In light of the celebration, local businesses in Chinatown -- a minimally accessible neighborhood of New York City – have made new commitments to augment the accessibility of their venues.