As ADA Turns 36, Reed Cosponsors Resolution to Uplift Disability Community and Honor Decades of Progress

WASHINGTON, DC - On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), prohibiting discrimination based on mental or physical disabilities.

Celebrating the thirty-sixth anniversary of the ADA, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) joined U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) and a group of 28 Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution to honor the disability community, uplift the impact of the historic legislation, and call for continued commitment to increasing inclusivity and accessibility.

The Senate Resolution recognizes: "The importance of independent living and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities made possible by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and calling to protect the right of individuals with disabilities to live in their own homes and communities."

In the resolution, the Senators outline the ADA's long-success ensuring individuals with disabilities have the right to live, work, and participate as members of their communities and receive necessary care and support through access to Medicaid home and community-based services. The Senators condemn a June 18th Department of Justice opinion that has since threatened this hard-won progress toward full integration of individuals with disabilities into society and commit to working to stop attempts to dismantle the ADA.

"The Americans with Disabilities Act represents the floor, not the ceiling, of efforts needed to dismantle barriers to full participation, equal opportunity, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities," reads the Resolution.

Senator Reed stated: "The ADA has made a tremendous difference for individuals, families, communities, and our country. The law broke down barriers, expanded opportunities, made communities more inclusive, and improved equal access and independence for Americans with disabilities. The ADA's broad benefits strengthen our society and make public places more welcoming for all. As the ADA turns 36, we must continue pushing for progress to ensure every American can participate fully in their community and our democracy."

The resolution is also cosponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Angus King (I-ME), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Christopher Van Hollen (D-MD), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

Thirty-six years since the ADA was signed into law on July 26th, 1990:

• More than 8,400,000 individuals receive home and community-based services through Medicaid;

• Individuals with disabilities are participating in the labor force at a rate of over 41 percent;

• On average, it is 3 times less expensive to serve someone through home and community-based services relative to an institution; and

• Individuals returning to the community from institutions report improved life satisfaction, reduced unmet needs, and enhanced feelings of dignity.

Throughout his career, Senator Reed has championed the ADA and accessibility law to improve accessibility. He supported full Senate ratification of the international Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and helped secure the implementation of technology updates like the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act for sensory impairments. Since 2020, Rhode Island has received nearly $400 million in cumulative federal funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Senator Reed has also fought cuts to Medicaid, which provides long-term care, behavioral services, and medical support to hundreds of thousands of disabled and vulnerable Rhode Islanders.

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