Disability Expo and Public Forum

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and the Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities will celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the signing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act with a Disability Expo and Public Forum. The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, at County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa.

A public forum involving county commissioners, the mayor of Temple Terrace and state legislators will kick off the event’s activities at 10 a.m. on the 26th floor of County Center. The forum panelists will address information on current issues, programs and questions facing people living with disabilities. These include possible incentives for companies to hire and retain workers with disabilities, improving transportation opportunities for people with disabilities and stronger enforcement of disabled parking laws.

This year’s theme is ADA: Innovations and Access. Dozens of exhibits and demonstrations will include a look at the latest modes of transportation featuring wheelchair-accessible pickup trucks and motorcycles, and the newest low-vision and hearing-impaired technologies.

The annual Advocacy Awards for Outstanding Community Service, Accessibility for All and Outstanding Youth Service will be presented during the event. Light refreshments will be served.

The county and the alliance sponsor the event annually to help the public become more aware of disability-related programs and services, and to highlight the unique abilities and contributions of people with disabilities in the Tampa Bay area.

For more information, contact Sandra Sroka, Americans with Disabilities Act liaison, at 813-276-2742.