Disability Network Partners celebrates 34th anniversary of ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act, or the ADA, marked its 34th anniversary this past July 26. Signed into law in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, the ADA is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities. The ADA aims to ensure people with disabilities do not face discrimination as a result of their disabilities in employment, access to government, and access to businesses that are open to the public. Examples of access may include the removal of barriers, such as installing a ramp for a business that has steps leading to its entrance or modifying polices that accommodate the specific needs of a person with a disability.

This year, two events were held that celebrate the efforts of the ADA in making our community accessible to all people.

On July 26, 2024, the Disability Network Partners, or DNP, hosted the 4th Disability Sports Festival on Saipan. The festival was held earlier this year on the islands of Tinian and Rota. The sportsfest was created to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to engage in activities that promote health, socialization, and inclusion. The event was held at the Center for Living Independently buildings 1365 and 1366 on Capitol Hill and featured five modified and adapted sports, including seated volleyball, boccia, disk golf, washer toss, and cornhole. This year also marked the first competitive event with participants joining in a cornhole tournament. 42 participants joined in the celebration with 12 entering the cornhole tournament.

Thanks go out to the Disability Network Partners, which is made up of agencies around the CNMI that provide services to people with disabilities, including the Center for Living Independently, the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems, Inc, the Public School System’s Special Education and Athletics departments, the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, the Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Office on Vocational Rehabilitation. Special thanks to Senate President Edith DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan) and House Speaker Edmund Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) for their contribution of water and tents.

The following day, July 27, 2024, NMPASI hosted a cornhole tournament “funraiser” at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan. The first tournament was held back in 2014 as a creative way to increase awareness about the Americans with Disabilities Act. Due to circumstances the event was not held in the past decade, but organizers believed that this year would be a great opportunity to bring the outreach event back to the community. A total of 16 teams joined in on the celebration, competing in Round Robin group stages before moving to a single elimination tournament. Enjoying a sunny day and after competing in eight matches, three teams emerged victorio5.dus.

Thank you to Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan for providing the venue and their kind monetary donation. Thank you to all the participants, especially those who loaned their boards and bags for the event. (PR) Greg Borja is the executive director of the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc.