# What This Resolution Actually Does

This is a symbolic resolution that celebrates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and calls for stronger action to help people with disabilities live independently in their communities rather than in institutions. Think of it as Congress saying "we recognize this is important and we need to do better"—but it's not a law that directly changes anything or allocates money. Instead, it's a statement of intent that asks various government departments to focus more attention on disability rights.

The resolution points out some real problems that still exist three decades after the ADA was passed. Many people with disabilities still live in nursing homes, group homes, and other institutional settings when they'd prefer to live in regular homes with support services. During COVID-19, people in these settings died at much higher rates. People with disabilities also face higher unemployment, struggle to find accessible workplaces, and encounter technology and buildings that aren't designed with them in mind. The resolution specifically mentions that people of color with disabilities face even greater barriers to healthcare, education, and jobs.

What the resolution actually asks for is that Congress work together across party lines to remove these remaining barriers, that states improve access to home and community-based services, and that the Department of Labor and Department of Health and Human Services provide better support and resources to help people with disabilities work and live independently. It's essentially Congress saying "we see these problems exist and we're committing to address them," but the real work would come through future legislation and policy changes that actually fund and implement these improvements.

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.

Hoyer, Steny H.

 <p>This resolution addresses issues related to individuals with disabilities.</p> <p>Specifically, the resolution</p> <ul> <li>recognizes the importance of independent living for individuals with disabilities made possible by the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and encourages all Americans to celebrate the advancement of inclusion and equality of opportunity made possible by its enactment;</li> <li>pledges to continue to work on a bipartisan basis to identify and address the remaining barriers that undermine the national goals of equality of opportunity, independent living, economic self-sufficiency, and full participation for individuals with disabilities;</li> <li> pledges to work with states to improve access to home- and community-based services for individuals with disabilities; </li> <li>calls on the Department of Labor to develop policies and practices and provide technical assistance to enable individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency; and </li> <li> calls on the Department of Health and Human Services to provide information, resources, and technical assistance regarding such services that enable individuals with disabilities to live independently.</li> </ul>