NEWS: Senators Blunt Rochester, Coons Join Colleagues in Introducing Resolution to Uplift Disability Community and Honor 36 Years of the ADA

Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) joined Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) and 27 Senate Democratic colleagues in introducing a resolution ahead of the 36^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to honor the disability community, uplift the impact of the historic legislation, and call for continued commitment to increasing inclusivity and accessibility.

The 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 18^thDepartment 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. 

In addition to Coons, Blunt Rochester, and Kim, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Christopher Van Hollen (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

It's been 36 years since the ADA was signed into law on July 26^th, 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.