The ADA35 Protest, Rally, and March was sparked in response to the United States' current administration's attacks on laws upholding rights for people with disabilities. As such, we insist on protecting the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which makes our lives vibrant and equal. ADA35: The Future is Disabled is a coalition of many groups and is for everyone.

We joyfully promote disability justice and intersectionality for people with disabilities of all races, genders, sexualities, and religions. We celebrate intersections between, but not limited to, visible and invisible, physical, cognitive, and mental health disabilities, as well as non-neurotypical folks.

A person of color with dark hair threaded with silver, wearing a light denim tank top, smiles softly at the camera while holding a sign that says "ADA 35 The Future Is Disabled."

Demands and focus

That people with disabilities be involved in all lawmaking and decisions that concern people with disabilities. Nothing about us without us.
That governmental policy is always based on sound, proven, transparently communicated science.
That the Americans with Disabilities Act be enforced with vigor, enthusiasm, and joy.
No budget cuts to Medicaid or Medicare.
No budget cuts to organizations that support people with disabilities.

We joyfully promote disability justice and intersectionality for people with disabilities of all races, genders, sexualities, and religions.

Speakers

Siri Hustvedt, author
Jean Ryan, president of Disabled in Action New York
Sasha Blair-Goldensohn, disability rights activist
Dr. McLennon Wier, executive director of the Center for Independence for the Disabled New York (CIDNY)
Jade Bryan, director and producer
Christina Sparrock, founder of NYC Mental Health Collective
George Gallego, founder and CEO of Wheels of Progress and co-founder of the Axis Project
Nadina LaSpina, disability activist and author
Lyssy Pastrana, photojournalist and activist
Lou Hill, trans and disability rights activist
A CWA Local 1180 representative will also speak

Route Map

The rally will begin at 11:00 a.m. sharp at the Washington Square Park arch, located on 5th Avenue and Washington Square North. At approximately 11:40, we will exit the park to the east on University Place and proceed to Union Square Park. When we reach 14th Street, we'll take a right and cross into the southeast corner of the park. There is no programming at Union Square, but we'll gather as a community and wait for all marchers to arrive.

Subway access

Please note that the West 4 Station street-to-mezzanine elevator and the elevator connecting to downtown N/Q/R trains at Union Square are out of service for replacement. The L and uptown N/Q/R are wheelchair accessible at Union Square from the north side of 14th St. between Irving Place and 4th Avenue.

Buses

The southbound M1, M2, M3, and M55 and westbound M8 buses stop near Washington Square Park at 5th Avenue and 8th St.

For bus service between the rally and the end of the march, take the M2 or M3 from the southeast corner of 5th Avenue and 8th St. to Union Square East and 15th St.

Access-A-Ride

Drop-off: 12 Washington Square North
Pick-up: 10 Union Square East

Accommodations information

We offer a variety of accommodations to help make the ADA35 NYC Rally and March accessible to everyone. To request accessibility accommodations, including specific wheelchair and sighted guide requests, please complete our Accessibility Request Form. You can also sign up to be a marshal through this form. The deadline to fill out this form and request accessibility accommodations is Friday, July 25.

Livestream information

You can access the livestream of the rally at 11 am: Disability Unite Livestream Center

The livestream will also be broadcast on Rise and Resist's social media pages:

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

ASL Interpretation

An experienced ASL interpreter will translate the rally portion of the event and will be available at the end of the march to help marchers communicate with others.

COVID-19

While we recognize that some people with disabilities are unable to wear masks, we encourage (but don’t require) participants to wear masks at the event. N95 masks will be available for participants at the start, and marshals will have them to distribute along the route.

Sighted Guides

We are happy to offer sighted guides for the march for anyone who needs them. Please fill out our Accessibility Request Form so we can ensure a guide is available for you.

Wheelchairs

Free wheelchairs are available for all or part of the march for anyone who needs one. Volunteers will be available to assist with pushing wheelchairs. Please reserve your chair prior to the march via the accessibility request form, as availability may be limited on the day of the march.

If there are extra chairs, we are happy to provide them to anyone who needs one, even if they did not reserve one beforehand.

Accessibility

Help us spread the word!

Help promote the ADA35 NYC March and Rally! Feel free to download one of the following social media graphics to share, or create your own. Tag us at @ada35nyc!

Download ADA35 graphic #1 (for social media feed).

Download ADA35 graphic #2 (for social media story).