HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2020-4657

HR 4657

ByRepresentatives Kilduff, Chambers, Thai, Orwall, and Shea

WHEREAS, National protections were written into law thirty years ago, while the origin of advocacy for persons with disabilities began as early as 1936 when a grass roots organization of parents from all over Washington state formed; and

WHEREAS, Nearly a quarter of Washingtonians live with some type of disability and rely on such protections every day; and

WHEREAS, Advocates with disabilities and families taught the nation that disability is a part of human existence and developed the rallying cry "nothing about us without us"; and

WHEREAS, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was the first monumental piece of civil rights legislation for persons with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The ADA was the accomplishment of disabled advocates, families, and allies of all races, ethnicities, creeds, genders, abilities, and sexual orientations; and

WHEREAS, The ADA provided an encompassing definition of disability that contends disability is not a barrier to an individual's participation in society; and

WHEREAS, Washington state is still working to ensure that all persons with disabilities have equal opportunities and access to participate fully in our society; and

WHEREAS, The ADA has been an instrumental tool for advocates with disabilities and families to address such barriers; and

WHEREAS, We remain committed to working alongside self-advocates and their families to address the barriers to equal opportunity and participation in society;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was the result of persistent efforts of self-advocates, their families, and allies from the disability community.