05/02/19 PRESS ALERT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information:
Dawn Russell: (303) 884-1471
Gregg Beratan: (610) 247-4188
Marilee Adamski-Smith: (715) 204-4152
WHO: National ADAPT
WHAT: The Disability Integration Act Gains Momentum
WHERE: Across the United States
WHEN: Wednesday, May 2, 2019
The Disability Integration Act Gains Momentum with Support of New State Delegations
The Disability Integration Act (DIA) continues to gain momentum as ADAPT and other disability rights advocates work with House Leadership to pass the bill during the week of the 29th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 2019. The additions of Senator Thomas Carper and Congressman Richard Neal mean that the Delaware and Massachusetts congressional delegations join those from Colorado and Vermont in their unanimous support for the bill and the right of elderly and Disabled Americans to live in freedom instead of being forced into unwanted institutionalization. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation which is designed to ensure the right of people with disabilities to live in the community already enjoys the support of every major national disability organization. The bill has widespread support among aging, social justice and faith-based organizations, including AARP.
Since its introduction in January, DIA has secured a total of 139 co-sponsors in the House and 26 co-sponsors in the Senate. Organizers from ADAPT see the support for the bill growing as entire delegations declare their support for the legislation. “We are so proud that all of Delaware’s legislators support our right to be free,” said ADAPT Delaware organizer Daniese McMullin-Powell. “When people understand what DIA does and why it is needed, they line up to support it.”
Congressman Neal’s co-sponsorship means the bill only needs the support of 91 more Democrats in the House in order to bring it to the House floor for a vote this July. “Having the entire Massachusetts delegation support the bill keeps us on schedule for that important vote on the week of July 26th”, said Massachusetts ADAPT organizer Rhoda Gibson. “We’re going to make history with ‘Disability Freedom Day’ by passing DIA when thousands of Disabled Americans are on the Hill!”
“In this age of partisan politics, we are seeing legislators from both sides of the aisle DIA is an opportunity for bipartisan work in Congress,” said ADAPT organizer Bruce Darling. “We are going to pass this bill not because it serves one party’s interests, but because no one can deny that Disabled Americans deserve to live in freedom. Seeing entire state delegations support the bill only convinces us of that even more.”
Groups like ADAPT which have worked for years secure the constitutional and civil rights of disabled Americans are pushing Congress to pass the legislation now “We have waited 29 years for our freedom we are tired of waiting we need DIA passed now,” said ADAPT organizer Dawn Russell.
For decades ADAPT has worked to secure for Disabled Americans the same rights and liberties enjoyed by their non-disabled neighbors. Learn more about ADAPT’s history and activities at www.adapt.org, on social media with the National ADAPT Facebook and Twitter pages. Also, under the hashtag #ADAPTandRESIST.
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