Legislation Document

SPONSOR:	Sen. Poore & Rep. Longhurst
Sens. Gay, Hocker, Huxtable, Mantzavinos, Sokola, Walsh, Wilson; Reps. Baumbach, Briggs King, Griffith, Hensley, Hilovsky, K. Johnson, Morrison, Osienski, Ramone, Wilson-Anton, Yearick

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 70

DESIGNATING JULY 26, 2023, AS “AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT DAY” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) was passed 33 years ago on July 26, 1990; and

WHEREAS, the ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public ; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the law is to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as all Americans ; and

WHEREAS, the law requires employers and government agencies to provide reasonable accommodations and accessible services to those who have disabilities ; and

WHEREAS, the act prohibits places of public accommodation from discriminating against individuals with disabilities and sets building accessibility standards ; and

WHEREAS, Judy Heumann, recognized as the “mother of the disabilities rights movement,” and a driving force behind the ADA and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), passed away this year; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) estimates that approximately 26 percent of Americans have disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the CDC states that up to 24 percent of Delaware residents have a disability; and

WHEREAS, CDC data indicate that disability care accounts for 34 percent of healthcare spending in Delaware.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the General Assembly affirms the importance of the recognition of people with disabilities and their many achievements, and hereby designates July 26, 2023, as “Americans with Disabilities Act Day” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly encourages expanded efforts to keep Delaware residents properly informed about the need for equitable treatment of those with disabilities.