Change, Not Charity: Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the ADA

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Neurodiversity: Leveling Up Our Perspective
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Igniting Growth: Reimagining Supplier Inclusion
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Join us for “Change, Not Charity: Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the ADA”

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Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM (CST)
Location: Virtual

REGISTER

July 2025 marks the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Join us virtually to celebrate with an excerpt screening of PBS documentary Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act, followed by a discussion with leaders from the disability movement.

 

Hosted in partnership with Disability:IN Chicagoland, Disability:IN DC Metro, and Storybolt, this event will bring together thought leaders, advocates, and businesses committed to advancing accessibility and inclusion.

 

Here’s why this event is a must-attend:

  • Exclusive access to leading voices in the disability community and inclusion space.
  • Insightful discussions on the future of accessibility and workplace inclusion.
  • Networking opportunities with key industry players and organizations making a difference.

 

Whether you’re looking to gain actionable strategies to improve inclusion at your organization or simply want to learn more about this milestone, this event will provide invaluable resources to continue pushing the envelope on inclusion.

 

About the Presenters:

Christopher G. Bell is a retired, blind lawyer and Board Member of the American Council of the Blind. Mr. Bell played a significant role in the development of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) He was the co-author of “Accommodating the Spectrum of Individual Abilities,” a 1983 Civil Rights Commission publication setting forth a conceptual framework for the ADA. From 1989-1990, Mr. Bell was a technical advisor to Congress and the White House during the ADA’s legislative process. Mr. Bell was the Acting Associate Legal Counsel for ADA Services at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) where he spearheaded the development of the ADA employment regulations, Technical Assistance manual and sections of the EEOC Compliance Manual. Subsequently, Mr. Bell was the Managing Partner of the Minneapolis office of Jackson Lewis, a national, management-side, labor, and employment law firm where he headed the Firm’s ADA Practice.

 

Karen Tamley is President and CEO of Access Living, a Chicago-based non-profit organization serving people with disabilities. Prior to taking the role, she was Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities , advancing accessibility in transportation, city infrastructure, technology, education, and employment.

Tamley was appointed by President Obama to the U.S. Access Board in 2016, a federal agency that develops accessibility standards and guidelines and served as Chair in 2019. She has received numerous accolades, including the Motorola Solutions Excellence in Public Service Award, Leadership Greater Chicago’s Distinguished Leader Award and recognition from Crain’s Chicago Business for leadership in the social services sector.

Tamley has held leadership roles on various government and non-profit boards, including Pace Suburban Bus, Dare2Tri, the Kohl’s Children’s Museum and Forefront. In 2021, Governor Pritzker appointed her to the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes. She is also a member of The Chicago Network, The Economic Club of Chicago, the International Women’s Forum, and Disability Lead.

 

This virtual meeting will be held on Zoom. Registration is required to attend. 

 

Accessibility: Live captioning will be provided at this event. If you need accommodations to participate, please request them via the registration form or contact Laura Wilhelm at laura@di-chi.org.

 

Registration Fees:

For more information about Disability:IN Minnesota membership, visit our website.