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July 28, 2020Advocacy Matters

ADA-Related Legislation in the 116th Congress

Disability Matters with Joyce Bender 

July 28, 2020 

 

#AdvocacyMatters 

ADA-Related Legislation in the 116th Congress 

 

As we leave our 30th Anniversary month of the Americans with Disabilities, #AdvocacyMatters wanted to bring to your listeners a list of legislation that continues to the success of the ADA in Congress.  

In the last 1.5 years, so much of our attention in the disability community has focused in a few areas in the 116th Congress 

We continue the focus on the funding of our programs through annual appropriations like mental health block grants, home, and community-based services, housing vouchers, special education, OVR, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Medicaid, Medicare, and transportation funding.    

On civil rights issues, our communities continue to work on racism, voting rights, hate crimes, and Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act. 

We have responded to urgent issues like COVID-19Our community has worked hard to secure hazard pay for our direct support care community and now we may see added funding for schools and an added stimulus payment to Americans. 

As our celebration of the ADA winds down, we do not want to forget that there are members of Congress who have introduced legislation that supports disability rights and continues the bi-partisan support and efforts of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

As always you can find the list and links to the legislation at disabilityrightspa.org 

 

Resolutions 

H.Res. 1066 

Introduced: July 24, 2020 

Sponsor: Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) 

Recognizing the importance of independent living for individuals with disabilities made by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and calling for further action to strengthen home and community living for individuals with disabilities. 

 

H.Res. 806 

Introduced: January 17, 2020 

Sponsor: Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA) 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should enact the Voters with Disabilities Bill of Rights to fulfill the promises of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other civil rights laws which demand equal access to the ballot box for people with disabilities and to reaffirm and ensure that voters with disabilities have equal access to the ballot box. 

 

 

 

Legislation 

H.R. 7755 

Introduced: July 23, 2020 

Sponsor: Rep. Mary Scanlon (D-PA) 

To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to increase voting accessibility for individuals with disabilities and older individuals, and for other purposes.  

 

 S. 3297

Sponsor: Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) 

Introduced: February 13, 2020 

Preventing Abuse and Neglect of Vulnerable Americans Act 

House version, H.R. 5897 introduced by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) 

 

 S. 3740

Sponsor: Senator Robert Casey (D-PA) 

Introduced: May 14, 2020 

COVID-19 Recovery and People with Disabilities Act of 2020 

House version, H.R. 6951 by Rep. Janice Schakowksy (D-IL) 

 

H.R. 1573 

Sponsor: Rep. Mary Scanlon (D-PA) 

Introduced: March 6, 2019 

Disability Voting Rights Act 

  

S. 3206

Sponsor: Senator Robert Casey (D-PA) 

Introduced: January 16, 2020 

Accessible Voting Rights Act 

 

S. 702

Sponsor: Senator Angus King (I-ME) 

Introduced: March 7, 2019 

Senior and Disability Home Modification Assistance Initiative Act 

  

#AdvocacyMatters. 

Thank you for celebrating the ADA this month.   

Find the list of legislation and where your member of Congress stands on the issue.   

 

If you want them to cosponsor the legislation, ask them.  If you want them to stop being a co-sponsor to a bill that would weaken the ADA, ask themIf you want change, vote.