Hands Around the Capitol 2025: Honoring the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Join us for a powerful, statewide educational event honoring 35 years of the ADA! Hands Around the Capitol 2025 is a free, in-person event uniting communities, organizations, and policymakers in recognition of the progress and ongoing work to advance disability rights.
This family-friendly gathering will take place at Cecil Andrus Park, directly across from the Idaho State Capitol
What to Expect
•40–50 booths featuring local, state, regional, and national disability-related resources
•Live representatives sharing information on the ADA, Section 504, Fair Housing Act, Idaho Human Rights Act, and more
•Interactive exhibits and materials on employment, voting, ABLE accounts, service dogs, inclusive recreation, assistive tech, and disaster preparedness, public-rights-of-way technology and applications.
•A sensory/obstacle course, kid-friendly activities, a community painting wall, and food trucks
•An ADA history booth featuring photos from Tom Olin’s collection
Cultural & Community Performances
Experience vibrant performances from across Idaho’s diverse communities, including:
•Ballet Folklórico Mexico Lindo (confirmed)
•Oinkari Basque Dancers – 1:00 PM (confirmed)
•Bagpipers (confirmed)
•Native American dancers and drummers
•Open Arms Dance Project
Accessibility Services Provided
•American Sign Language interpretation
•Trained sighted guides
•Spanish and other language interpreters
Schedule – Friday, July 25, 2025
•11:00 AM: Event kick-off proclamations
•11:30 AM: Participants begin lining up to encircle the Capitol
•11:45 AM: Multicultural procession begins—music, dancers, bagpipers, and ribbon-distribution
•12:05 PM: participants form a circle around the Idaho State Capitol
•12:30 – 1:00 PM: Speakers, and awards
•1:00 – 4:00 PM: Cultural performances, storytelling, and interactive exhibits
Why It Matters:
Disability touches every community. This event is about building bridges—connecting people of all abilities and backgrounds, celebrating our shared history, and advancing access and equality for the future.
