On Thursday July 17, 2008 the Peoria Chiefs together with EP Global Communications, publisher of Exceptional Parent Magazine, and Mass Mutual Central Illinois Agency and its Special Care Planning Division host Disability Awareness Night at O'Brien Field. The Peoria Chiefs will face the Lansing Lugnuts at 7:00 p.m., gates open at 6:00 p.m.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President George H. W. Bush. ADA covers a broad spectrum of civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on disability.   

The Chiefs are partnering with Easter Seals Peoria, CWTC, Peoria Production Shop, and PARC to create greater community awareness of the needs and abilities of individuals with disabilities. These partner agencies will have touchpoints set up at the game for attendees to learn more about the services they provide, people they serve, and how the community can get involved.

Mass Mutual is donating 250 tickets to the familes of children with disabilities in Central Illinois through the Easter Seals Peoria. The Chiefs have made special discounted tickets available through the partnering agencies to their staff, volunteers, and friends.

We believe in the potential of every person. PARC (Peoria Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc.) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit human service agency based in Peoria, Illinois serving adults with intellectual disabilities or delays. Our organization has been in existence for over fifty-five years, originally incorporated in 1957.

Our programs include early intervention, community-based residential, rehabilitation, vocational training, transitional employment, supported employment and respite. Related support services include occupational and physical therapy, speech therapy, nursing, and leisure and recreational activities. Our main service area includes Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties, although we are not bound geographically to just these counties.

Mass Mutual's Special Care Planning Division will have an information table on the concourse to increase awareness of the lifelong opportunities that people wtih disabilities have in Central Illinois.

EP Global Communication will present the Exceptional Parent Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award at 6:40 p.m., just prior to the start of the game. Named after the late founder and editor-in-chief of Exceptional Parent magazine, the award recognizes the honoree's advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities.

O'Brien Field is fully compliant with all ADA requirements. The stadium is fully accessible to all individuals with disabilities.

For more information on participating in this event with PARC, contact Sibylle LaHood at (309) 689-3608.