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Abilities in Motion Art Show Celebrates 30th Anniversary of ADA

By Abilities in Motion

Jul 17, 2020

Abilities in Motion is proud to present the 4th annual ADA Celebration Art Show, which celebrates the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by showcasing artists with disabilities. This year’s show opens on the 30th anniversary of the ADA. The Berks Arts Council and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts provided a generous grant to secure gallery space for the exhibition.

Abilities in Motion will partner with the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts to present a two-week long art show exhibition in Studio 240 titled “My Disability Story” July 26 through August 10 featuring the works of artists with disabilities. This theme further highlights people with disabilities living their best independent lives, consistent with our mission. The artist stories and biographies that accompany the artwork bring this exhibit to life and allow viewers to connect with the artists’ work more intimately.

This exhibition honors the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), which falls on July 26 and has drastically impacted the accessibility of our communities.

Abilities in Motion conceptualized the annual art show four years ago to recognize the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) by highlighting the culturally diverse artistic talent within our local community. This is our first year partnering with the GoggleWorks for this project, and we now have the capacity for a professional exhibit installation and streamlined visitor experience.

Artists with disabilities will exhibit their creations through a variety of media, including painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture. The GoggleWorks has created a virtual gallery to complement the physical exhibition, expanding accessibility to these works of art through the following link: https://goggleworks.org/event/my-disability-story (Virtual gallery will go ‘live’ when the exhibit opens on July 26th. It will be active for the duration of the show, until August 10th.)

Executive Director Stephanie Quigley issued the following statement:

“We are pleased to be partnering with the GoggleWorks for this year’s celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Even though the ADA was passed 30 years ago, there is still much work to be done to ensure equal access and rights for all people with disabilities.  2020 has brought about challenging times with COVID19; therefore, it is even more important to showcase stories of people with disabilities in their own expression of art to bring awareness of their creative talent and abilities.  We hope you enjoy the exhibition and have arranged the art to be viewed either in person or virtually to accommodate COVID-19 precautions.  Whichever way you choose to join us, I hope you leave with a smile and a better understanding of what the Americans with Disabilities Act means to people with disabilities.”

Abilities in Motion is Berks County‘s Center for Independent Living.  We offer support services, education, and advocacy for over 3,700 individuals with disabilities in over 30 counties in the state.  AIM’s purpose is reflected in the Rehabilitation Act, which states that “disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society, pursue meaningful careers, and enjoy full inclusion and integration in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of American society.”

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