On Saturday, July 26th, Housing Works will join the ADA35 Rally and March, commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This powerful gathering will begin with a 20-minute rally at Washington Square Park led by speakers with disabilities, followed by a march up University Place ending at Union Square Park.

This anniversary holds special significance for our organization. In 1995, in response to the threatened elimination of HASA services under the Guiliani Administration, Housing Works filed a landmark federal class action asserting HASA clients' rights under the ADA. This groundbreaking lawsuit affirmed the principle that people with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations necessary to access public benefits. As a result, the city was held accountable to uphold case management ratios, streamline application processing, and maintain public reporting to City Council.

Our victory set a lasting precedent—and on July 26th, we march to protect those hard-won rights. ADA35 is not just a celebration; it's a demand for continued enforcement, inclusion, and resistance to policies that threaten disability protections. Housing Works proudly joins coalition partners and community members to insist on a future built on disability justice.