SPIRIT OF ADA TORCH LIT FROM ETERNAL FLAME IN ATLANTA

At 10:00 AM on June 7, 2000, the Spirit of ADA torch was lit from the eternal flame on the grave of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This notable ceremony portrays the connection between the civil rights and disability rights movements. "The disability rights movement modeled itself on the successes, vision and passion of the civil rights movements that preceded it. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a hero for disability rights activists around the world and it is only fitting that his eternal flame ignite the Spirit of ADA flame on the law’s 10th anniversary," stated Andrew J. Imparato, President and CEO of the American Association of People With Disabilities (AAPD). Martin Luther King, III, son of Dr. King and Chairman of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference will light the torch with Mr. Imparato. James Shepherd and Mark Johnson of the Shepherd Center will also attend the Atlanta ceremonial lighting.

"We recognize that this anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act furthers Dr. King’s message of inclusion and the possibility that we can all make contributions to society," said a spokesperson for the Martin Luther King Center for Non Violent Social Change.

The Spirit of ADA Torch Relay is part of a national relay set to begin in Houston on June 11, 2000. The torch will visit 24 major cities around the country. Several other cities are planning related events. The torch relay is part of the Spirit of ADA campaign. It marks the 10th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 25th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This cross-country tour calls on Americans to "renew the pledge" to ensure full implementation and enforcement of the ADA and IDEA while honoring the creativity and achievement of Americans with disabilities. Volkswagen of America, Inc. is the national title sponsor for the Spirit of ADA Torch Relay. Other national sponsors include AccessLife.com, Continental Airlines, Microsoft, The Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities The President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and Shepherd Center. AAPD is the national host organization. AAPD is a non-profit membership organization of people with disabilities, their family members and supporters working to promote the political and economic empowerment of all 54 million children and adults with disabilities living in the United States.

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