Reps. McBride, Hill Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

WASHINGTON, DC - Ahead of the 36th anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), U.S. Representatives Sarah McBride (D-Del.) and French Hill (R-Ark.) introduced the bipartisan Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act, legislation to help small businesses - in Delaware and across the country - hire people with disabilities, expanding access to employment, the dignity of work, and that opportunity to fully participate in our economy.

"Every Delawarean deserves the opportunity to work and build a career with dignity, including people with disabilities," said Rep. McBride. "By equipping small businesses with the support they need to provide reasonable accommodations, this bipartisan legislation will empower more Delawareans with disabilities to enter and thrive in the workforce. Thirty-six years after the ADA became law, we have an opportunity to build on its legacy by ensuring all Delawareans can fully participate in our economy and our communities. I'm glad to be partnering with Rep. Hill on this important legislation."

Under the ADA, employers with 15 or more employees are required to provide "reasonable accommodations" to employees with disabilities. However, the cost of providing workplace accommodations - while essential to ADA compliance - is not explicitly covered under the Disabled Access Credit (DAC) in its current form.

The Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act would address this oversight by adding "reasonable accommodations" as a qualifying expenditure under the DAC. By expanding eligible expenses, the legislation would help small businesses provide the accommodations employees need while expanding access to employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

"When the ADA was passed, accessibility was largely limited to physical access, like ramps, elevators, and bathrooms," said Rep. Hill. "Today, as more disabled Americans look to join the workforce, it means screen readers, adaptive software, and modified equipment that let people thrive in a modern workplace. This practical bill simply brings the spirit of the original law into the modern era. It gives employers a real incentive to provide the accommodations that matter today and gives more disabled Americans a genuine path into the workforce. I am pleased to work with Representative McBride on this commonsense solution."

In Delaware, small businesses make up 98% of the state's total businesses and are the backbone of the First State's economy. However, providing workplace accommodations comes with added costs, and many small businesses currently lack the resources to pay additional expenses. At a time when small business owners are already navigating workforce shortages and the impact of the administration's tariff policies, this legislation would help make providing "reasonable accommodations" more affordable for small businesses while expanding employment opportunities for workers with disabilities.

McBride and Hill's legislation is endorsed by a broad coalition, including The Arc, American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), Autism Speaks, CEO Commission for Disability Employment, Chimes International, Easterseals National, Melwood Inc., National Down Syndrome Society, SourceAmerica, Community Legal Aid Society of Delaware, Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council, Easterseals Delaware, and the University of Delaware Center for Disability Studies.

"People with disabilities represent one of our nation's most underutilized talent pools, but for too long outdated policies have stood in the way of opportunity. That is why Melwood is proud to support the Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act, which offers a meaningful step toward removing barriers to employment and creating more inclusive workplaces that benefit all of us. By helping small businesses provide reasonable accommodations, this legislation opens more pathways to economic independence for people with disabilities who are ready to work, contribute, and strengthen our nation's workforce," said Larysa Kautz, President & CEO of Melwood.

"ANCOR is grateful to Representatives McBride and Hill for their leadership in expanding the Disabled Access Credit (DAC), which supports small businesses to employ people with disabilities. By increasing the eligible expenses covered by this important tax credit, more small businesses will have the resources they need to make their workplaces accessible and meet the needs of today's workforce. Especially on the eve of the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act becoming law, ANCOR is proud to support this important legislation that seeks to ensure the promise of community inclusion is a reality for workers with disabilities," said Barbara Merrill, ANCOR's chief executive officer.

"Reasonable accommodations are more than an accessibility tool; they are a talent strategy. They unlock the full potential of the talent employers hire by ensuring employees have the resources they need to perform at their highest potential. The Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act helps small businesses invest in that talent, strengthening businesses, expanding employment opportunities, and growing our economy," said Rob Snow, Executive Director of the CEO Commission for Disability Employment.

"Too many people with disabilities who are ready and eager to work still face unnecessary barriers getting or keeping a job if they need reasonable accommodations for their disability, such as modified workplace rules, special technology, interpretation, or other supports. While making accessibility changes like these can greatly benefit both employers and workers, the upfront cost can be challenging for small businesses operating on tight margins to stay afloat. Modifying the Disabled Access Credit to include reasonable accommodations would be a significant extension of the benefits of the program for businesses and workers alike, helping employers attract and retain talented employees and expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities. In addition to helping to pay for necessary accommodations, giving businesses the flexibility to go beyond the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act is a practical, commonsense way to support successful outcomes for employers and workers and strengthen our economy by ensuring that workers with disabilities are fully included in the workforce. We thank Representative McBride for introducing this important legislation and for her leadership in advancing policies that promote equal opportunity for people with disabilities," said Marissa Band, Esq., Project Director of Disability Rights Delaware of Community Legal Aid Society, Inc.

"At Easterseals, we believe meaningful employment is key to independence, dignity, and community inclusion for people with disabilities. Small businesses have long been valued partners in creating employment opportunities, and this legislation will give them additional support to hire and accommodate even more talented individuals with disabilities. By expanding tax incentives for workplace accommodations, this bill removes barriers for employers while advancing a more inclusive workforce. We proudly support its passage," said Ken Sklenar, President/CEO of Easterseals Delaware & Maryland's Eastern Shore.

"People with disabilities have the right to work, contribute, and succeed. Accessibility and reasonable accommodations are not expenses; they are investments in people, businesses, and stronger communities. The Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act recognizes that by helping small businesses offset the cost of accommodations, it will remove barriers to employment, expand opportunity, and strengthen our workforce. The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council Thanks Representative McBride for introducing this important legislation and for her continued leadership in advancing policies that promote equal opportunity, economic inclusion, and a workforce where everyone has the chance to thrive," said Maitri Campbell, Chair of Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council Policy and Law Committee.

"Good workers don't come with a uniform set of needs. Rep. McBride's bill, the Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act, expands the disability access credit for small businesses and makes it possible for them to provide accommodations-a modified telephone, alternate access to a computer, or a tablet that converts speech into text-that result in an employee who thrives and returns long-lasting benefits to the business," said Dr. Beth Mineo, Director for the University of Delaware's Center for Disabilities Studies.

"Autistic people can and want to work, yet too many face employment barriers that don't reflect their skills, talents or desire to contribute. The Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act would help small businesses provide reasonable accommodations that can make workplaces more accessible and inclusive for employees with autism, while also helping employers meet their workforce needs. We are grateful to Representatives Sarah McBride and French Hill for championing this bipartisan legislation and moving us closer to the promise of the ADA: equal opportunity for all," said Keith Wargo, President and CEO of Autism Speaks.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

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