‘Everyone Can Work’: Iowa City celebrates 34 years of ADA, spotlights inclusion and disability employment at downtown event

Iowa City marked the 34th anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) with a downtown event that blended speeches, performances, and a renewed call for inclusion. The celebration, held at the PedMall Sept. 27, honored the lasting impact of the ADA while spotlighting local organizations and advocates dedicated to advancing the rights of individuals with disabilities. This year’s theme, Everyone Can Work, focused on the generational impact of the ADA and NDEAM for Iowans with disabilities and the barriers that persist. Iowa City Mayor Pro Tem Mazahir Salih opened the celebration with a proclamation that recognized the contributions of individuals with disabilities and the importance of inclusive employment. Sarah Martinez, owner of Advancing Futures LLC, a company that focuses on advancing employment, financial security and independence for individuals with disabilities, served as the evening’s keynote speaker.

Drawing on her experience in disability employment services that spans nearly a decade, she highlighted the transformative impact employment has on individuals with disabilities. Ms. Martinez noted that despite progress, significant barriers still exist for people with disabilities in securing competitive, integrated employment. “Only 16 states have banned the practice of paying subminimum wages, while federally, it is still legal to do so,” she said, noting that Iowa “is not one of those states.” Noting the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm’s origin as a local example of the U.S.’s long history of segregating the disabled to work for low wages in subpar conditions, she called for increased opportunities for disabled employees to work in roles that match their abilities and preferences. “People with disabilities deserve the right to find work that fits their abilities, desires and needs, just like everyone else, and from an employer standpoint, hiring people with disabilities makes good business sense,” she said. “Hiring qualified employees with disabilities can improve employee engagement, customer loyalty, tax incentives, increased profits and job retention, just to name a few.” In 2023, the employment rate for individuals with disabilities reached a record high at 22.5%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This marks a 1.2 percent increase from the previous year and is the highest level recorded since data tracking began in 2008. However, the employment gap between individuals with and without disabilities remains significant. Last year, the employment-population ratio for people without disabilities reached 65.8%, a modest increase of 0.4 percentage points. However, this figure still stands well above the rate for those with disabilities. Unemployment data reveals a similar disparity. The unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities was 7.2%—more than double the 3.5% rate for those without disabilities. While job opportunities for people with disabilities have improved, the higher unemployment rate highlights persistent challenges in fully bridging the gap in workforce participation.

ADA continues to be impactful

President George H.W. Bush enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 to secure protections for individuals with disabilities, mandating equal access across key areas including business, employment, transportation, and public services offered by state and local governments, as well as telecommunications. Calling it one of the most impactful and important pieces of legislation, Bri Swope, co-chair of the UI Council on Disability Awareness and associate professor of instruction with therapeutic recreation/child life, said the evening’s celebration highlights “advocacy, education, (and) awareness of inclusion.” “The ADA has provided many opportunities for people with disabilities to be part of the community,” said Joel Wesselink, administrative assistant with Access 2 Independence of the Eastern Iowa Corridor and an MC for the celebration. Over the course of the evening, attendees were introduced to inspiring stories from individuals who have benefited from local organizations dedicated to promoting independence and advocacy for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, sponsors and vendors took the stage, offering insights into their services and highlighting their contributions to these vital efforts. Combined Efforts, a visual and performing arts company with a mission of artistic excellence through purposeful collaboration between artists with and without disabilities, took center stage with two performances – a dance, and a skit written by one of its members. The evening continued with the presentation of the Terry Cunningham Community Award, which is given annually to an organization that exemplifies advocacy for people with disabilities.

This year's recipient was  FilmScene, which presented the first-ever Iowa Disability Film Festival in 2024 and was lauded for bringing awareness to issues of inclusion and representation in the film industry. The Bill Reagan Vitality Award was given to Jen Simmering, who has been working and volunteering with people with disabilities in Eastern Iowa for more than 25 years. One of her current roles is serving on the board of directors for the Community Inclusion Club, which fosters inclusive activities for individuals with and without disabilities. She also chairs the Community Access Committee, a group dedicated to improving accessibility in local communities.

Work continues with legislation

Capping off the event, Ben Grauer, program coordinator for UI’s Center for Disabilities and Development and an MC alongside Mr. Wesselink, highlighted continuing advocacy efforts within the state of Iowa, particularly with regard to Medicaid.

As a vital provider of home and community-based services for people with disabilities, Medicaid fills gaps in care that private insurance often overlook. Amid ongoing discussions, advocates are stressing the need for legislation to tackle the low wages and lack of professional recognition facing direct support professionals (DSPs), the backbone of care for individuals with disabilities. A key legislative priority includes better training opportunities, possibly through professional certifications, and a wage increase to ensure DSPs can sustain full-time employment. The conversation also spotlighted Iowa Representative Josh Turek, a state legislator with spina bifida, who has emerged as a strong voice for disability rights and recently introduced a bill aimed at strengthening support for individuals with disabilities. “If you're out and about and you hear these things happening in conversation, lend your voice to that, because it's so important that these things are really understood and contextualized and discussed beyond just this disability spirit,” said Mr. Grauer. National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), celebrated in October, aims to raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrate the diverse contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. Established in 1945 as a week-long observance focused on individuals with physical disabilities, NDEAM has since grown into a month-long event, expanding its focus to promote the inclusion of people with all types of disabilities in the workforce. This evolution reflects the ongoing effort to create a more inclusive and diverse employment landscape across the nation. The Johnson County ADA Celebration was made possible through the efforts of Access 2 Independence, The Arc of Southeast Iowa, NAMI Johnson County, the University of Iowa Council on Disability Awareness, the UI Therapeutic Recreation Program, and the City of Iowa City.