Celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

MEDIA ADVISORY - Credentialed media are invited to attend a celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 24 at 10 a.m. in Raleigh, North Carolina. Leaders from the North Carolina Department of Health and Humans Services will highlight programs, services and investments that are improving the lives of North Carolinians with disabilities.

Raleigh

Jul 22, 2025

Credentialed media are invited to attend a celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 24 at 10 a.m. at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills, 3415 Wake Forest Road. Leaders from the North Carolina Department of Health and Humans Services will highlight programs, services and investments that are improving the lives of North Carolinians with disabilities.

The event will include presentations and panel discussions with leaders and people with lived experience on topics ranging from essential services and community access, employment services, assistive technology and the North Carolina Olmstead Plan. Credentialed media are invited to attend and participate in a Q&A session at the conclusion of the presentations. American Sign Language interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services are available at the event.

What: Celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Who: Chris Egan, Assistant Secretary for Employment and Community Access, NCDHHS

Kelly Crosbie, Director, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services, NCDHHS

Deb Goda, Olmstead Director, NCDHHS

Kenneth Kelty, Writer, Host of The Waiting Room Podcast

Brittny Zenere, Director of Operations, Alliance of Disability Advocates

Kathie Smith, Director, Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities, NCDHHS

Patrick Williams, Peer Specialist, Easterseals PORT Health

Natalie Flores, Employment Specialist, Easterseals, PORT Health

Tony Davis, Director, Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, NCDHHS

John Samuels, Co- Founder and Chief Operating Officer, ABLR

When: Thursday, July 24

10 a.m. - noon, with a media Q&A at 11:40 A.M

Where: Hilton Raleigh North Hills,

3415 Wake Forest Road,

Raleigh, NC 27609

Media: Credentialed media interested in attending should RSVP to news@dhhs.nc.gov