2010 is a momentous year. Aside from being the 10th gathering of the Kennedy Center’s Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability network, it is also the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a key civil rights law, and the fourth anniversary of the ground-breaking international recognition of the rights of people with disabilities by the United Nations General Assembly – a vital step towards addressing human rights internationally.

LEAD 2010 presents us with an opportunity to look back upon the past 10 or 20 years to see how our work to eliminate barriers and create welcoming, accessible and inclusive cultural experiences has ensured that people with disabilities and older adults can exercise their civil and human rights. It is also a chance to look forward and to discover new ways to address ongoing challenges and new questions. Legislation and regulations are updated, new technologies come and go, our audiences and their needs and wants evolve but the challenge to guide our communities and institutions in making choices that acknowledge the right of all to participate in the cultural arts – and to do so with independence, dignity and respect – remains.

We meet that challenge by coming together once a year to hear from knowledgeable individuals in the field; engage in a dialogue with patrons and visitors with disabilities; carry on discussions with our peers; and learn about and share resources, best practices, and solutions.

I am delighted that this year the LEAD network is gathering in San Diego, California in partnership with the San Diego Zoo and Kids Included Together. (What better place to have a birthday celebration than at the Zoo?) In addition to a program packed with opportunities to network and learn from experts in the field, we’ve added two new features: a full day of pre-conference workshops in partnership with the National Center on Accessibility addressing accessible exhibit design; and the first international two-day capacity building training for audio describers, presented by the Audio Description Coalition.

This is not a year to miss LEAD! A little birdie tells me that some four-footed zoo friends may join us for the big 10th birthday celebration during the LEAD Awards ceremony on Saturday evening!