By Alex Jackson
On Wednesday, a crowd gathered inside town hall to celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as Greenwich’s recent accomplishments in making infrastructure more accessible to those with disabilities.
From left to right: DPW commissioner Jim Michel, First Selectman Fred Camillo, Commissioner of the Greenwich Dept of Human Services, Demetria Nelson; Steph Cowie, ADA Advisory Advocacy Committee for People with Disabilities; Democratic Selectwoman Rachel Khanna, Alan Gunzburg, Chairman, Selectmans ADA Advisory and Advocacy Committee; and Parks & Rec assistant director Dan Carlsen. July 29, 2026 Photo: Alex Jackson
The event was originally set to take place on the plaza outside the former US Post Office, now home to RH, to mark 36 years since President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure the civil rights of people with disabilities, but was moved inside town hall due to the weather forecast.
Alan Gunzburg, chairman of the Selectman’s ADA Advisory and Advocacy Committee, said the driving question remains: “Can everyone participate?”
“It’s hard to think of something more American,” said Selectwoman Rachel Khanna about Americans with Disabilities Day. “The ADA is about basic human rights.”
DPW commissioner Jim Michael at the ADA event on July 26, 2026 Photo Alex Jackson
Greenwich has made significant strides in recent years to enable such participation. Forty-five ADA-compliant curb ramps have been constructed on Greenwich Avenue and nearly 7,000 feet of sidewalk have been replaced.
The new Central Middle School is expected to set a new standard for accessibility, while the Department of Parks and Recreation is planning to develop Bruce Park’s playground through an “ADA masterplan,” said Daniel Carlson, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation.
En route to the ADA celebration, Democratic chair of the Board of Estimate and Taxation David Weisbrod, Jill Oberlander and State Rep, Hector A4z3no (D-151). Contributed photo