The Pierce County Council and Executive proclaimed July 26, 2025, as Americans with Disabilities Act Day in Pierce County during the council’s July 22 meeting.

Council member Yambe read the proclamation, which cites the Americans with Disabilities Act and local measures including ordinance numbers 2013-43, 2014-11 and 2014-10 and resolution R2019-161 adopting an ADA transition plan for public rights-of-way. The proclamation also references the 2024–2025 Pierce County biennial budget and a $50,000 allocation for an inclusive playground in University Place.

Chris Dowling accepted the proclamation on behalf of county advocates and highlighted the law’s anniversary and the local scale of need. “It was only 35 years ago that the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law,” Dowling said, adding that “with one in 10 Pierce County residents being diagnosed with a sensory, emotional, psychiatric, cognitive, and or physical disability…we’re looking at about a hundred thousand of our citizens who face…barriers.”

The proclamation recognizes county and community efforts to fund and plan accessibility improvements and urges continued attention to equity and inclusion in county programming, contracting, and hiring. No formal vote was required for the ceremonial proclamation; council members offered brief remarks and a photo opportunity followed.

The county’s proclamation documents the ordinances and resolution named in the reading and asks residents and agencies to observe the day by renewing commitments to ADA goals.