20th anniversary of Harkin's Americans with Disabilities Act on the horizon; Vernon wants a local ADA Commission

Mayor Kay Halloran this week issued a proclamation recognizing the 20

^th

anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The act, authored by Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, became law on July 26, 1990,  and the National ADA Symposium is attempting to have 2,010 local governments and others sign ADA proclamations by next summer's anniversary. Cedar Rapids joined the list on Wednesday evening.

At the same time, council member Monica Vernon asked her council colleagues to consider creating a city ADA Commission to help the city as it plans to rebuild or replace its flood-damaged buildings.

“I think to be a welcoming community, to be a beacon, we need to do that,” Vernon says.

She says several local groups are looking to work with the city on ADA issues.

“I think it would be good to have a group to kind of watchdogging that for us and helping remind us when things are not in compliance,” she said.