The Governor’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Office is proud to announce the resounding success of the recent “All Things ADA” Expo held in the St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix districts for caretakers, seniors and individuals with disabilities. The events saw remarkable turnouts, with almost 250 community members in attendance on St. Thomas and over 230 persons on St. Croix.
The Office of the Territorial ADA Coordinator extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the community members who came out to empower themselves and engage in meaningful conversations in honor of Disability Pride Month. The overwhelming participation reflects the community’s commitment to inclusivity and support for individuals with disabilities.
“We are thrilled by the turnout and the enthusiasm displayed by our community,” said Territorial ADA Coordinator Julien Henley Sr., who birthed the project’s origins. “The Expo provided an invaluable opportunity for individuals to access resources and assistive devices for disaster preparedness, gain insights on the status of their or their loved one’s health, and connect with others dedicated to promoting disability rights and inclusion.”
Additionally, other presentations were made on fraud awareness, housing assistance, banking and financial assistance, legal services, employment and more. The events also featured an impromptu audience talent search where attendees showcased their different abilities and won prizes.
“The search talent was an especially heartwarming way to highlight ADA Pride within the crowd and simultaneously allow us to focus on the blessings we already possess. But the most gratifying of it all was the overall feedback from attendees,” said Henley remarked.
The success of these events would not have been possible without the generous support and collaboration of various stakeholders. The ADA coordinator extends special thanks to the event sponsors Viya and WTJX, and the Disability Network Partners of the Virgin Islands and other partnering organizers, all dignitaries who attend, and the numerous agencies and organizations that partnered to execute the largest and most meaningful ADA Expo yet.
The livestream of the event is available for viewing by all residents at www.facebook.com/GovernmentHouseUSVI. Residents are also encouraged to join the online celebration of the 34th Anniversary of the ADA from noon to 1 p.m., Friday, July 26, where leading USVI advocates will discuss their work and the services they currently provide. Those interested in viewing should visit https://bit.ly/ADA34VI to RSVP.
Disability Network Partners include the Governor’s ADA Office, Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Association for Independent Living, Virgin Islands University Center of Excellence for Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD), Department of Human Services’ Disabilities & Rehabilitation Services, and the Virgin Islands Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advocates.
For more information about the All-Things-ADA Expo and future events, visit www.vi.gov/ADA.
