Mayor Madeline Rogero, City Council members, City staff, CODI members, the disABILITY Resource Center and other sponsors and supporters will hold celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 30th anniversary of the Mayor's Council on Disability Issues (CODI) on Thursday, May 14.

Two events will commemorate milestones in accessibility and inclusion while reminding decision-makers and the public that more steps will need to be taken to ensure accessibility as Tennessee's population ages.

At 11:30 a.m. on Market Square, the disABILITY Resource Center and the City of Knoxville will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The event features the ADA Legacy Tour Bus, which uses several types of displays to preserve and celebrate the ADA, illustrate advances and educate communities on the goals of the ADA. The ADA Legacy Tour Bus will remain parked at Union Avenue through early Thursday evening.

Mayor Rogero and state Sen. Becky Duncan Massey will speak on the accomplishments of the ADA at noon on Market Square.

In addition, more than 35 businesses, agencies and vendors that serve people with disabilities will be displaying their services and resources in informational booths on Market Square throughout the day.

Then, at a 4:30 p.m. reception at the Square Room, 4 Market Square, the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Mayor's Council on Disability Issues will be celebrated.

Mayor Rogero and Craig Lemak, CODI Chair and chief operating officer of the Knoxville Center of the Deaf, will speak.

Anyone needing a disability accommodation should contact the City's ADA Coordinator, Stephanie Cook, at [email protected] or 865-215-2034.

In addition, parking will be available at the Civic Coliseum, with accessible trolley service between the Coliseum and the Square throughout the day until 7:45 p.m.