It’s been 35 years since the U.S. government enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act[External] (ADA), and Marin County is celebrating the milestone with three collaborative exhibitions throughout July.
Signed into law in 1990, the ADA marked a landmark civil rights milestone, prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities and ensuring equal access in all areas of public life. In celebration of Disability Pride Month and the ADA’s anniversary, the Marin Cultural Association[External] (MCA) and the Marin County Free Library (MCFL) are showcasing distinct perspectives on disability history, identity, and advocacy, honoring the progress of the past 35 years while highlighting the ongoing pursuit of inclusion and equity.
Disability History Exhibit
The Disability History Exhibit, created by Advocating Change Together (ACT), is a digital collage that traces 3,000 years of seldom-told history. Through a powerful illustrated timeline, the exhibit explores how societal attitudes toward people with disabilities have evolved across cultures and centuries.
With the help of Portland Community College (PCC) Disability Services, in partnership with the Oregon Association of Higher Education and the Disability Multimedia Program, these captioned videos[External] feature the voices of PCC students, bringing their stories to life through engaging digital storytelling.
Sound Advice Exhibit – MCFL 10-Branch Exhibit
At the same time, MCFL will feature “Sound Advice,” a 10-branch exhibit highlighting the lived experiences of individuals with hearing loss. Curated and photographed by artist and advocate Nancy Rubin, the project centers on the voices and insights of participants aged 6 to 95.
“I am one of over 50 million Americans who have difficulty hearing, which is a loss that is usually an invisible disability,” Rubin said. “This project endeavors to make the hearing public more aware of the challenges of those of us with hearing loss.”
Each participating branch will host a portion of the exhibit, encouraging community members to explore and reflect across the library system. Find a branch from the MCFL website.
Making Waves – Civic Center Exhibit
This exhibit, on view on the first and third floors at the Marin County Civic Center (3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael), showcases works by artists from Cedars and Marin Ventures, two Marin organizations dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities through creative expression and personal growth.
Cedars Fine Art Studios offers a professional, mentorship-based workspace where artists explore a wide range of media — from pencil sketches and abstract paintings to jewelry and sculpture — to develop their skills and careers.
Marin Ventures, founded in 1990 by a group of parents seeking meaningful opportunities for their adult children with developmental disabilities, offers a safe and inclusive environment that focuses on fostering independence, community integration, and lifelong learning through programs in the arts, communication, fitness, and employment training. Visitors are encouraged to explore the exhibit and experience the vibrant creativity and unique perspectives of these artists.
Together, the exhibits honor the progress achieved since the passage of the ADA and create space to reflect, imagine, and push for full inclusion. Looking for reading material? Explore and celebrate Disability Pride with the help of this rich book list.
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For disability accommodations, please phone (415) 473-6358 (voice), CA Relay 711, or e-mail the library staff at least five business days in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.
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