Oklahoma City – Supporters of the Americans with Disabilities Act are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the landmark civil rights law, which toppled barriers to employment, education and access to buildings for people with disabilities.

The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

NEWCASTLE, Okla. Concern about losing her remaining vision once held Sonya Cochran back more than her deaf-blindness, a condition many associate with American author, lecturer and humanitarian Hellen Keller.

Governor Kevin Stitt issued a proclamation recognizing Cochran as the official spokesperson for Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, which hosts the annual event June 21 through 27, asked her to accept this honor for a second time.

Cochran previously served as DRS spokesperson in 2017.