On Monday, July 1, committee member Kristen Saul joined fellow representatives of individuals with disabilities, Cincinnati elected officials and administrators, representatives of regional social service agencies and a large crowd gathered at the steps of city hall for the first official Disability Pride flag-raising ceremony in the city as part of Disability Pride Cincy.
Before Cincinnati city manager Sheryl Long ordered the raising of an official Disability Pride flag at the event, Kristen delivered a powerful speech reminding the gathered crowd of the importance of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990, honoring its legacy of guaranteeing equal protection and opportunity for individuals with disabilities and that there is still work to be done to improve accessibility, opportunities and inclusion so all individuals can live as they wish.
Additionally, Cincinnati Council Member President Pro Tem Victoria Parks, who officiated the event, spoke on the importance of creating a more fair and equitable community, along with fellow speakers, Mayor Aftab Pureval, City Manager Sheryl Long, Cincinnati Accessibility Board of Advisors Jill Gibboney, Diana Mairose with Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services and Aaron Bley with Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired.
Kristen, along with her fellow speakers and many individuals gathered in the crowd for the ceremony, also represented the more than 25 community and arts groups, local governments, including Cincinnati and Hamilton County and social service agencies, including Hamilton County Developmentally Disability Services, participating in Disability Pride Cincy, a first-time collaborative effort to amplify and share Disability Pride Month events held throughout the region
