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Behind The Scenes

Planning the march started in October 1992. The main organizers were members of the group Disabled In Action (DIA): Nadina LaSpina, Danny Robert, and Jerry Nuzzi. They did a lot of hard work behind the scenes. They created the event’s goals, got government permits to close Madison Avenue, wrote to sponsors, and invited speakers. Having worked in the entertainment industry, Danny Robert recruited volunteers from television and theater to help build the stage and the parade float.
Two people holding a wide white banner as a crowd marches down a city street.

Date: Jul 25, 1993

Image Description: Two marchers hold the ends of a large horizontal banner that reads “Disability Independence Day March” as they walk down a city street. A procession of people follows behind them between tall city buildings.

Group photo of diverse event organizers gathered on a low platform stage in a city street.

Date: Jul 23, 1993

Image Description: A diverse group of event organizers and volunteers pose together on a low wooden stage erected on a city street. The platform sits beneath a large white canopy tent with tall city buildings in the background.

Parade float decorated with patriotic banners moving past spectators and police on a city street.

Date: Jul 25, 1993

Image Description: A decorated parade float with red, white, and blue bunting moves along an urban street lined with multi-story buildings. Overhead banners read “Disability Independence Day,” and a wheelchair user travels alongside the float.

Two men seated outdoors conferring closely while one signs or writes on paperwork at an event.

Date: Jul 25, 1993

Image Description: Justin Dart, wearing his signature wide-brimmed cowboy hat and dark jacket, leans forward to write. Danny Robert, one of the march organizers, is wearing sunglasses and a white graphic t-shirt. He looks on intently and points to something on the page

Two wheelchair users smiling together in a march under a banner quoting Martin Luther King Jr.

Date: Jul 25, 1993

Image Description: Nadina LaSpina and Danny Robert, romantic partners and co-organizers for the march sit in wheelchairs and smile. Behind them, other marchers carry a banner with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.

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