October 2000: Disability Advocates March to Support the ADA

The Oregon group — most of them — at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Back row, left to right: Nancy Holmes, Tim Holmes, Janine Delaunay, Ken Crowley, John Dziennik, Ann Shepherd. Front row: Arie Farnam, Jean Shepherd, Andrea Williams, Kristi Svendsen, Joey Holmes.

The Oregon group — the rest of them: Bob Stevens (center) and his daughters.

The Washington, D.C., metro subway system is inexpensive, convenient and accessible.

The day before the rally and march, some of the Oregon delegation called on legislators. Here, they're dwarfed by the Supreme Court building.

Alison Buist, assistant to Sen. Gordon Smith, reviews the pledge to uphold the ADA. Ken Crowley and Janine Delaunay look on.

Ted Kennedy, Jr., shakes then-BFF board president Ann Shepherd's hand before the rally gets under way. In his later remarks from the podium, Rep. Kennedy mentions the large Oregon delegation.

This demonstrator took a creative approach to celebrating liberty for all.

Even on break, Janine Delaunay bears high two signs.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson exhorts the crowd to register and vote.

Justin Dart, father of the independent living movement, rallies the faithful.

Martin Luther King III urges rally attendees to keep fighting for their rights.

Kyle Glozier gained national attention when he spoke at the Democratic Convention.

With liberty and justice for all!

Interpreters made sure deaf attendees didn't miss any of the speeches.

The oft-quoted figure of 54 million persons with disabilities does not include an estimated 2 million additional individuals who are living in care facilities, many against their wishes.

Organizers took a roll call of states from the podium. As each group of 10 states' names was completed, a bell tolled 10 times — once for each state.

All 50 states were represented at the rally. There were sizable groups from Alaska . . .

. . . North Carolina . . .

. . . and Wyoming.

Nancy and Tim Holmes applaud the speakers.

On the road at last! Joey Holmes gives Ann Shepherd a hand.

Andrea Williams revels in the rally and march.

We walked, rolled and marched.

The Capitol dome fades in the background.

At last we reach our destination:
the United States Supreme Court.

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden signs
the pledge to uphold the
Americans with Disabilities Act,
Oct. 3, 2000.