Legislative Resolution (Simple)

As I review legislation for people with disabilities, I stumble over some facts or data that jump out at me and I'd like to pass this along for a few reasons:

1. I've highlighted the names of the senators who supported this Simple Resolution (explained later) because they are clearly supporters of our disabilities.  There are 27 out of 100 senators here, that support us, I do no know where the others stand. 
2. The fact that 60% of COVID-19 deaths involved a person with a disability is a shame!  How can we represent such a disproportionate percentage of COVID-19 deaths.  There should be a governmental or private industry investigation/report initiated immediately on such a disparative issue.  We need answers in order to reduce our percentage and deaths for this and other potential viruses.  

Below if Simple Resolution 348.  You should know that a simple resolution does not have the power of a law but it an agreement of sorts of the co-sponsors of the resolution.  These resolutions can become law if we press our legislators to move on them.  Please review for your buy-in or action.  Anything is appreciated.  WE make the laws!  

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S. RES. 348

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

August 9, 2021

Mr. Casey (for himself, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Brown, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Reed, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Markey, Ms. Warren, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Cardin, Ms. Hassan, Ms. Cantwell, Ms. Stabenow, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Murphy, Mr. King, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Smith, Mr. Booker, and Ms. Klobuchar) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

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

Whereas, in enacting the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), Congress recognized that historically, society has tended to isolate and segregate individuals with disabilities, and, despite some improvements, such forms of discrimination against individuals with disabilities continue to be a serious and pervasive social problem;

Whereas the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 recognized the rights of individuals with disabilities to fully participate in their communities through independent living, equality of opportunity, and economic self-sufficiency;

Whereas, 31 years after the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and 22 years after the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), many individuals with disabilities continue to live in segregated institutional settings because of a lack of support services;

Whereas continued instances of segregated institutional settings have hindered the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in communities, schools, and workplaces, undermining the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;

Whereas people with disabilities living in institutional and long-term care settings suffered disproportionate rates of infection and death during the COVID–19 pandemic, with data showing 60 percent of COVID–19 deaths involved a person with a disability;

Whereas people of color with disabilities experience disproportionately greater barriers to quality, accessible health care, education, and employment opportunities, infringing on the right of such people under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to full participation in their communities;

Whereas, 31 years after the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, people with disabilities continue to face higher rates of unemployment and barriers to accessible workplaces and access to competitive integrated employment opportunities.

Whereas, 31 years after the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, some telecommunication, electronic, and information technologies continue to be developed without the goal of full accessibility and inclusion for all people of the United States; and

Whereas, 31 years after the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, many businesses, public and private organizations, transportation systems, and services are still not accessible to all individuals with disabilities: Now, therefore, be it