HJ353: Commending the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 353
Patrons-- Hope, Adams, D.M., Ayala, Carr, Delaney, Filler-Corn, Heretick, Jones, Levine, Lopez, Murphy, Plum, Rasoul, Reid, Samirah, Simonds, Sullivan, Ware and Willett; Senators: Barker, Boysko, Ebbin, Lewis, Morrissey, Peake and Saslaw
WHEREAS, July 26, 2020, marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and
WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) represents the most comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities, offering protections against discrimination in employment, access to government services and programs, and access to public accommodations and information technology; and
WHEREAS, Virginia led the way in disability rights five years before the federal government with the passage of its own Virginians with Disabilities Act in 1985; and
WHEREAS, since that time, Virginia’s leaders have championed measures to extend and reinforce the rights of Virginians with disabilities through various measures, including the creation of the Virginia Disability Commission in 1990; and
WHEREAS, Virginia further supported people with disabilities through the establishment of an Olmstead Task Force in 2002 and codification of that effort in 2006 as the Community Integration Advisory Commission, as well as the issuance of executive orders in 2014 prohibiting discrimination against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities in Virginia state government and prioritizing integrated accessible housing for people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, on January 3, 2020, Governor Ralph Northam issued Executive Order 47 and Executive Directive 6 to ensure employment equity for Virginians with disabilities by prioritizing hiring and workforce diversity in state government; to expand educational opportunity by directing the Secretary of Education to explore ways to increase active participation in advanced training and higher education programs; to ensure all Virginians can benefit from the state services and support they need by directing the Virginia Information Technologies Agency to review state websites and technology services to increase accessibility; and to continue the Community Integration Implementation Team to ensure the Commonwealth is providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities to become fully integrated into the community if they choose; and
WHEREAS, the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and 35th Anniversary of the Virginians with Disabilities Act provides an opportunity for localities, state agencies, and all Virginians to learn about, preserve, extend, and enhance the rights and protections these laws afforded to Virginians and all Americans with disabilities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the passage of the Americans of Disabilities Act on the occasion of its 30th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the disAbility Law Center of Virginia as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation for the significance of the Americans with Disabilities Act.