Tri-County Independent Living (TCIL) will hold its 6th Annual *Respect for Abilities Day * from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, July 24 in the Vickers Building at the Redwood Acres Fairgrounds in Eureka. This event is being held to help recognize the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.

Respect for Abilities Day is intended to increase awareness of disability rights and issues, while also providing an opportunity for people with disabilities, care providers, family members and others to learn about the latest in assistive technology (AT) devices and local service providers. The 2009 event will also feature the Redwood Vet Center’s Mobile Vet van, a chance to learn about local public transportation options through the “Going Mobile” program, a fundraising raffle in support of TCIL’s Residential Wheelchair Ramp Construction Program for low-income people with disabilities, an art display by local people with disabilities, refreshments for sale, and bluesy/folk music by Eureka guitarist/singer, “Hilary.”

Major sponsors for the 2009 Respect for Abilities Day include KWPT-The Point and Welliver Construction.  Contributing sponsors are the Coast Central Credit Union, KHSU, Patterson-Conners Insurance, and St. Joseph Hospital, while supporting sponsors include the Cher-ae Heights Casino, Eureka Host Lion’s Club, Humboldt Association of Realtors, Kramer Investment Corporation, Miller Farms, North Coast Co-op, and The Ink People.

For further information about Respect for Abilities Day, contact TCIL at (707) 445-8404 or (707) 445-8405 (TTY). If you are deaf or hearing-impaired and would like to have a sign language interpreter available at any of the workshops, contact TCIL and arrangements can be made.