CANTON, OHIO (November 2, 2015) - On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), opening the doors of equality to those with disabilities. In commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of ADA, the Canton Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is hosting free informative discussions over two weeks (Nov. 9-19) and a special art exhibit. The celebration culminates on November 21 with a MasterWorks concert featuring the Dancing Wheels Company and School. All events take place at the Zimmermann Symphony Center, 2331 17th Street NW, Canton.
Accessible Expressions Ohio Art Exhibit - November 1 to December 15, Hoover Gallery: Presented by VSA Ohio, the Statewide Organization on Art and Disability, the statewide, juried, exhibit and tour features visual art by artists of all ages with disabilities.
ConverZations Autism and the Arts - November 9 @ 12pm, Foundation Hall: Dr. Andrew Shahriari, Assistant Professor of Music, Kent State University examines how the arts, particularly music, can benefit those affected by autism.
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, Parent and Family Information Sessions - November 16 @ 12pm OR 5:30pm, Foundation Hall: Vocational Rehabilitation Professional staff will be sharing guidance and instructions on how to access transition services for your youth including an explanation of services and instructions on how to apply.
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, Professional Educator Session - November 16 @ 4pm, Foundation Hall: Opportunities for Ohioans staff will be sharing various initiatives currently in progress, specifically with the Ohio
Department of
Education including ODE project overview and available funding.
Pathway Caring for Children and Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Stark County (MHRSB) - November 17 @ 12pm,
Foundation Hall: Marcie Girdlestone, Clinical Director of Agency Based Services at Pathway Caring for Children, will discuss how Pathway uses music in a therapeutic capacity with its clients.
Stephanie Kutcher, Client Services Coordinator MHRSB will provide information on the role of and services provided by MHRSB.
Gerhardt Zimmermann & Mary Verdi-Fletcher - November 17 @ 6pm, Foundation Hall: Gerhardt Zimmermann, CSO Music Director and Mary Verdi-Fletcher, founding Artistic Director of Dancing Wheels Company & School will discuss growing up and living with polio and spina bifida respectively.
Philomatheon Society of the Blind Panel - November 18 @ 12pm, Foundation Hall: A panel discussion consisting of David Miller, president of the Philomatheon Society of the Blind, Denise Dessecker, vice-president of the Philomatheon Society, Sarah Hawke, a former member of the Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band, and Erin Byrne singer, teacher, and active community volunteer. Free vision screenings by the Jackson
Township Lions Club will also be available from 10am-noon and 1pm-3pm.
Dr. Jane Biehl & Sita, her hearing ear dog - November 19 @ 6pm, Foundation Hall: Dr. Jane Biehl discusses her life with hearing loss and the story behind her hearing ear dog, Sita.
Jim Morris of HEARINC will offer information about hearing loss assistive devices and provide free hearing screenings.
MasterWorks Concert Walls of Glass - November 21 @ 8pm, Umstattd Performing Arts Hall: The Dancing Wheels Company and School performs an emotional World Premiere work - choreographed by Akron's Neos Dance Theater co-founder Bobby Wesner and composed by ASCAP Concert Award recipient and Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award nominee Stephen Melillo.
Tickets for the concert range from $25-$45. There are senior, student and group discounts available. Tickets and the full concert season schedule are available at
www.cantonsymphony.org, by calling
(330) 452-2094, at the Zimmermann
Symphony Center - 2331 17th Street NW in Canton - weekdays from 10am-5pm or at the Umstattd Performing Arts Hall box office beginning one hour and fifteen minutes before the performance. Both
Foundation Hall and Umstattd Performing Arts Hall are equipped with hearing loop technology that is compatible with many hearing assistive devices.
Founded in 1937, the Canton
Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional ensemble and organization dedicated to performing concerts that enrich, educate and entertain. Under the direction of Gerhardt Zimmermann, the orchestra performs classical, pops, holiday, and educational programs. Most performances are in Umstattd Performing Arts Hall, adjacent to the Zimmermann
Symphony Center 2331 17th Street NW, Canton, Ohio. Parking at the Zimmermann
Symphony Center is free. For more information, please visit
www.CantonSymphony.org.
