WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced a joint resolution reaffirming federal support of the Americans with Disabilities Act and legislation instructing publicly-funded infrastructure projects to be made fully accessible to all.
This resolution aligns U.S. policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a widely supported international treaty ratified by over 85% of United Nations member states. The Convention recognizes global disability across various areas, including infrastructure design, communications, and accessibility.
“Every person deserves equal respect and protection under the law. It is unacceptable that all government buildings are not fully accessible to all Americans,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “I remain fully committed to promoting legislative efforts that make access to opportunities available to all persons with disabilities. This resolution is a continuation of the transformative, bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes provisions to enhance accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities and deliver on the promise of equity.”
“Many federal buildings remain inaccessible for Americans with disabilities—creating a physical barrier to vital services. Our resolution reaffirms every American’s right to equal opportunity by pledging to ensure that all federally funded buildings, housing, and infrastructure work for everyone,” said Senator Blumenthal.
This resolution builds on several years of efforts by Congresswoman Hayes to support Americans living with disabilities. Congresswoman Hayes has championed legislation to increase wages and phase out subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities, and she has advocated for increased funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) for eligible persons with disabilities. In March 2021, Congresswoman Hayes voted for the American Rescue Plan, which provided relief for people with disabilities, including additional support for behavioral health services and significant investments in HCBS. Congresswoman Hayes and Senator Blumenthal have introduced similar resolutions in previous Congressional sessions that recognize the need to improve physical access to federally funded facilities.
Hayes and Blumenthal were joined by Reps. Steve Cohen (TN-9), Donald G. Davis (NC-1), Debbie Dingell (MI-6), Dwight Evans (PA-3), Pablo Jose Hernandez (PR-At Large), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Darren Soto (FL-9), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Dina Titus (NV-1), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).
This resolution is endorsed by the following organizations: The ARC, the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), Family Voices, the National Black Disability Coalition, and the United States International Council on Disabilities.
Read the resolution here.
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