Northwest Florida Celebrates the 26th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

By Annette Zeeb

The Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida, Inc. (CIL) facilitated a celebration of the 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26 at the First Pentecostal Church in Pensacola.

State Senator Don Gaetz was the keynote speaker.  He opened with the following statements: “Each of us has unique abilities and each of us is disabled.  We develop powers to match our challenges.”   Senator Gaetz championed Senate Bill 672 and Representative Clay Ingram championed House Bill 7011.  The legislation increases funding from $55 million to $73 million for $10,000 per year scholarships for children with autism, Down syndrome, and other intellectual disabilities starting as early as age 3.

The scholarships are named “Gardiner Scholarships” in honor the Senate President Andy Gardiner, who has made “people with unique abilities” the signature issue as Senate President in honor of his son with Down syndrome.  Senator Gaetz shared his personal experience when his hero and wife had to use a wheelchair for mobility.  She developed powers to overcome the obstacles faced daily and continues to inspire those around her.

Another purpose of the legislation is to increase independent living, inclusive and experiential postsecondary education, and employment opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities through degree, certificate, or non-degree programs.  Senator Gaetz shared that Cameron Northup took advantage of the Program for Adult Learning & Support (PALS) at Pensacola State College (PSC) that will continue to be funded through this legislation.   Northup is his hero as she recently met her goal of becoming the first person with Down syndrome to graduate from PSC Cosmetology and is now a state of Florida Licensed Esthetician.  Gaetz presented Northup with a bouquet of roses expressing his congratulations.  Applications are now being accepted for the next PALS class at PSC starting in January 2017.  Go to arc-gateway.org/PALS or call 850-484-1185 by the September 30, 2016 deadline.

The Joe Oldmixon Award was presented to Sherri Myers for her outstanding service to People with Disabilities.  Vice President of Adult Programs and Supported Employment at Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers, Inc. Stacey Davis presented Adult Day Training Program Manager Rebecca Lee with the Spirit of CIL Award for going above and beyond in serving individuals with disabilities. Representative Clay Ingram presented the Ambassador Awards.  Executive Director of the CIL Disability Resource Center Frank Cherry presented the volunteers of the year award to Helen and Warren Jernigan for their years of advocating for individuals with disabilities with countless volunteer hours.  Finally, the Honorable Don Gaetz was presented with the Special Achievement Award.   


Senator Gaetz shared that Cameron Northup took advantage of the Program for Adult Learning & Support (PALS) at Pensacola State College (PSC) that will continue to be funded through this legislation.