Walton Options for Independent Living is set to open new doors of options and opportunities – ones for the Center for Disability Rights & Resource in Downtown Augusta.

As part of the annual celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act being signed into law, Walton Options along with Walton Foundation for Independence and Prevent Blindness will be hosting the Grand Opening of the CSRA’s new Center for Disability Rights and Resources with a ribbon-cutting celebration on July 26, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Taking place at its newly raised office building located at 948 Walton Way in Augusta, GA, the celebration, in collaboration with the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, is free and open to the public, featuring Roux’s Catering, guided tours, guest speakers, networking, giveaways, and more!

The new Center is set to become the epicenter of independent living in the CSRA Community providing support and resources to a portion of the community which comprises nearly one-third of the CSRA population. The Disability Community is a demographic that spans age, race, gender, and economic background.

“Over the years, Augusta has continued to grow with new businesses choosing our area as their base of operations,” explains James Heffner, Building Committee Chair and Vice Chair for Walton Options. “As local community members continue to revitalize our spaces Downtown and we see more opportunities emerge, we need to ensure that everyone in the community is able to be a part of them. People with disabilities are a vital part of the growth of Augusta and the CSRA. However, the perception of people with disabilities has not been reflective of the impact they have on our everyday lives. We are here to change that.”

At the event, Walton Options will celebrate not only its core services which are the foundation for the development of many programs, but also highlight and celebrate the partner organizations and programs that will now call the Center for Disability Rights and Resources home. These organizations include Walton Foundation for Independence, Prevent Blindness, and the Hire Me Georgia campaign.

Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new, fully accessible 6500 square-foot Center including:

15+ Offices
Multipurpose Room
Consumer Meeting Spaces
Accessible Kitchen and Staff Spaces
Development & Communications Studio Lab
Accessible Technology Lab
& MORE

“For quite a few years, our old building had exhausted its ability to provide a functional setting for our work,” explains Walton Options Executive Director Tiffany Clifford. “We are so grateful for the seed money from Georgia Rehabilitation Institute provided that has led to this new accessible and efficient facility that will not only house Walton Options and Walton Foundation for Independence, but be representative of the disability community in the CSRA. “

“It is exciting to be part of the revitalization that is occurring all around us,” said Clifford. “Persons with disabilities are active throughout the community and contribute individually to the heartbeat of the area as it continues to grow. We are excited to have this new space as part of that growth.”

To support the new Center, Walton Options worked with local marketing Agency, Kruhu, to create the Boldly BE Campaign. Through the campaign, they have encouraged everyone to Spark the Community firmly stating “our community is stronger when we come together & look past differences to what unites us. Regardless of ability, we are all people and we all deserve to Boldly BE.”