Celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at 1-3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26 at the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center, 2001 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis. The event is free and all are welcome. Entertainment is also planned.

U.S. Department of Justice attorneys Bahram Samie and Ana H. Voss will provide an update on 2010 regulations and current implementation. The opening performance by Mark Erickson, an Anishinaabe drummer and storyteller who lives in Minneapolis and is blind. The Ole Olson Onstage Ensemble & Entourage from VSA Minnesota, will perform “See Me Hear Me” and “An Attitude toward Accessible Arts.” Performers with and without disabilities include Sam Jasmine, Juliette Silvers, Kaitlyn Mielke and Jon Skaalen.

Kaitlyn Mielke of Victoria will perform “Defying Gravity” from the musical WICKED in ASL as the closing performance. She served as Miss Deaf Minnesota from 2009-2011 and is a summer intern at VSA Minnesota as part of course work for a master’s program at the University of Minnesota.

Performances will be ASL-interpreted, audio described and captioned. Light refreshments will be served. Sign language interpreters, CART, assistive listening devices and auto description will be provided. Other disability-related accommodations requests should be made by July 9.

This event is sponsored by the University of Minnesota Office on Disability, ADA Minnesota, VSA Minnesota, Access Press, Deaf and Hard or Hearing Services, State Services for the Blind, the Minnesota State Council on Disability and the Metro Center for Independent Living! For more information, contact Cindy Tarshish, ADA Minnesota, 651-603-2015 or cindyt@mcilmn.org