Y.E.A.! Group hanging out and fundraising at Uno’s

10/17/06

more pictures HERE

A few of the members of the group!

7/11/06

The Amphitheater not complying with the ADA effects all ticket holders

Read opinions and leave a comment on the issue. HERE

Timeline of progress:

Jump to beginning

7-10-07

South Hampton Roads Disability Services Board chairman Christopher Heath responded with a letter to the group. The board would not assist us.

4-27-07

Checkered Flag emailed the group and said they were no longer a sponsor of the Amphitheater

4-23-07

The group sent a letter to the South Hampton Roads Disability Services Board in hopes they could present ideas to the Amphitheater. The ideas would make the venue better accessible. HERE

4-11-07

The group sent a letter to local radio stations asking to speak on the air about their struggle with the amphitheater. HERE

4-10-07

The group sent a letter to the Virginia Beach Amphitheater’s sponsors. HERE

10-20-05

Attended rally/protest near Amphitheater.

The Virginian-Pilot prints article: “Virginia Beach Amphitheater Equal Rights: A denying of access” HERE

10-19-05

See the press release for Amphitheater rally HERE

5-24-05

Kathryn Gage wrote Matt Rogers about coordinating dates to meet with the Amphitheater and stairlift vendors. Read letter HERE

4-13-05

Matt Rogers called Kathryn and agreed to a meeting with members of the YEA Team, Richard DiPeppe from the Endependence Center for technical assistance, and vendors of wheelchair stair lifts, at the Amphitheater to discuss options for creating access to the lawn. 

3-31-05

Peter Sallmaier, Vice Chair of Virginia Beach Mayors Committee for Persons with Disabilities, called to make a case that it is better not to apply for the grant and not to change the lawn.  His argument was that currently, people with disabilities who get a ticket for the lawn seating can sit in the accessible fixed seats at lawn ticket price, so why would we want to change things?  He also stated that to sit on the lawn is to sit further away from the stage.  He asked to come speak at one of their support group meetings.  His message has been referred to the YEA group leader, Kathryn Gage. 

3-28-05

Received letter from Mr. Rogers indicating a list of technical issues which would need to be resolved prior to applying for funding for a chair lift. There would not be time, he felt, to answer the questions and meet the application deadline.

3-15-05

ECI staff Lisbet Ward faxed and mailed a letter to Matt Rogers offering a collaboration on applying for the RSIF grant.  The $15,000, if received, would go towards purchase of a chair lift to create access to the lawn seating. 

11-22-04

The Virginian-Pilot prints article: “Access Fight Continues” Read HERE

9-10-04

Matt Rogers called Y.E.A.! Team spokesperson and informed her that he and Mark Warner from Economic Development had decided not to make any accessibility changes to the lawn.

8-17-04

Still receiving no response from Matt Rogers, the Team left a message for him   with his receptionist during a Y.E.A.! meeting and did not hear back. Team wrote letter to Matt Rogers requesting that he meet with the Team within 30 days as he did not respond to the March 29^th letter requesting a timeline for the modifications.

7-23-04

Letter to Mayor Oberndorf updating her on the situation and lack of response from Matt Rogers.  Transition Advocacy Team changes name to Y.E.A.! (Young Endependent Advocates) Advocacy Team

3-29-04

Receiving nothing in writing from Matt Rogers, the Team wrote letter to him requesting a timeline of when accessibility modifications will be done. Read letter HERE

3-11-04

Matt Rogers emailed back asking for spokeperson’s contact information.  He then called her and expressed that the modifications would be done and that the Amphitheater was researching vendor options and the changes would be made sometime during the next year.  The spokesperson asked for this in writing to give to members of the Team and he took her address and stated that he would send her a letter.

2-27-04

Having received no updates over the holiday season, Y.E.A.! Team spokesperson left phone messages for and sent emails to Matt Rogers and Mark Warner.

8-14-03

Letter to Matt Rogers, thanking him for meeting with Mark Warner from Economic Development and Richard DiPeppe from the Endependence Center to evaluate different options for making the lawn accessible. The letter requested access to be completed by start of the next season. The Team offered to help advertise the new accessibility once it is done. Read letter HERE

8-7-03

Team received report from Richard DiPeppe, Endependence Center, on his recommendations on how to make the lawn accessible, following his meeting at the Amphitheater with Matt Rogers and Mark Warner.

6-20-03

Transition Advocacy Team wrote letter to Matt Rogers, new manager of the Amphitheater requesting that he meet with Mark Warner and Richard DiPeppe to evaluate accessibility options. The Team has arranged for Mr. DiPeppe to offer technical assistance free of charge.

5-2-03

Y.E.A.! Team spokesperson called Mayor Oberndorf’s office and spoke with Judy.  Y.E.A.! Team spokesperson explained that she has been calling Mark Warner in Economic Development several times a week and informed her that the Transition Advocacy team had written to him.  He has not responded.  Judy said that she would let the Mayor know.

4-7-03

Letter to Mark Warner, Economic Development explaining that the Mayor Oberndorf has directed us to work with him to resolve the lawn access issue and asking for his assistance.  Made him aware of over 250 signatures on a petition in support of lawn access. 

3-22-03

Received email back from Cynthia Whitbred-Spanulis, Strategy and Performance Coordinator for the City of Virginia Beach writing in response to the Team’s email to the Mayor.  Ms. Whitbred-Spanulis stated that the Mayor had asked the Department of Economic Development to respond as “the Virginia Beach Development Authority is responsible for the Amphitheater” and provided Mr. Warner’s name and contact information.

2-21-03

Received fax from Councilman Woods, a copy of fax he sent to Don Maxwell at Economic Development in Virginia Beach asking that the appropriate person in their department contact the Y.E.A.! Team spokesperson.

2-19-03

Letter to Va Beach City Councilman Jim Wood, thanking him for his letter of support and asking if he could direct the Team to the proper staff in Ecomonic Development to work with on this issue.

2-11-03

The Y.E.A.! Team spokesperson called Clear Channel. Ken McDonald had left and the new manager would not be named or start until sometime in March. Emailed Senator Wagner, Councilman Jim Wood and Mayor Oberndorf, City of Va Beach about this delay of plans.

1-28-03

Team received letter of support from Senator Frank Wagner offering his assistance and affirming the goal to make the lawn accessible.

1-2-03

Team received letter from Virginia Beach City Councilman Jim Woods guiding the Team to work with Clear Channel.

10-29-02

Team received letter from Mr. McDonald stating to call to set up a meeting. The meeting was set for January 9, 2004.  This meeting was later cancelled by Clear Channel due to an impending change in managers.

10-17-02

Letter to Ken McDonald, manager of the Va Beach Amphitheater (Clear Channel), introducing the Transition Advocacy Team and explaining the issue with the lawn being inaccessible.  Requested a meeting. 

9-2-02

thru

9-10-02

Team members circulate petition to gain community support for making the Virginia Beach Amphitheater lawn accessible. Gathered 250 signatures.

9-10-02

Several members of the Transition Advocacy Team spoke at a Portsmouth city council meeting and thanked them for having accessible amphitheater lawn seating.

8-2-02

Team members wrote letters to NTELOS Pavilion thanking them for the lawn access and explaining what this meant to their enjoyment of the concert.

8-1-02

Transition Advocacy Team members attended Bruce Hornsby concert on the lawn at the NTELOS Pavilion in Portsmouth. 

7-10-97

The Virginian-Pilot prints article: “Beach, group agree on changes to amphitheater” HERE

1-8-97

The Virginian-Pilot prints article: “Beach names architect of amphitheater in suit” HERE

7-13-96

The Virginian-Pilot prints article: “Amphitheater addresses concerns of the disabled” HERE

6-20-96

The Virginian-Pilot prints article: “Advocates for disabled criticize amphitheater” HERE

4-15-96

The Virginia Beach Amphitheater opened.

7-26-90

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted. Title III – Private Entities was added in 1992. It covers public accommodations, commercial facilities, and private entities. The Virginia Beach Amphitheater falls under public accommodations because it's a place of exhibition or entertainment.

The Y.E.A.! Group’s ‘I Love America’ photo contest submission

3/10/07

‘A Part of Greatness’

Photo description: The Young Endependent Advocates (Y.E.A.!) love America because by living here we are able to voice ourselves freely.  As Americans, we are able to stand up for our rights freely and without persecution.  As proud Americans with disabilities, we love our country enthusiastically… a country that recognizes and honors our rights as citizens and human beings.  As Americans, we have the privilege to advocate and teach others what is so important to become productive and successful in live and all its endeavors.

The group entered the I Love America photo contest in hopes to raise money for a trip to DC. Although we didn’t win, our photo will be used on a quilt with other winners. The quilt will be put on tour in early summer 2007!

Check their site for information on showings.

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Y.E.A.! (Young Endependent Advocates)

A team of young adults with disabilities who work to remove barriers and increase accessibility for persons with disabilities to the communities of the Tidewater area