[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMEMORATING THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH 
                            DISABILITIES ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 26, 2005

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, fifteen years ago today, our Nation 
enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act, giving civil rights 
protection to individuals with disabilities. This landmark legislation 
can be described as nothing less than monumental and groundbreaking for 
those with disabilities as it brought this community into the 
mainstream folds of our Nation.
  The ADA has brought about many changes in workplaces, transportation, 
schools, public buildings, parks and telephone services. Closed 
captioning, sidewalk curb cutouts, accessible entrances and restrooms, 
equal employment opportunities--all are a direct result, making the ADA 
one of the most far-reaching pieces of legislation ever enacted by our 
Nation. Perhaps more important than removing physical barriers, the ADA 
has been successful in changing the way society views our members with 
disabilities. Society understands and now demonstrates that people with 
disabilities could, and should, fully participate in all aspects of 
life.
  Mr. Speaker, despite the progress achieved through the ADA, there is 
still a long way to go before we truly achieve ``full participation'' 
for people with disabilities. In 1985, the widely regarded Harris poll 
determined that two-thirds of working age Americans with disabilities 
are unemployed, the highest unemployment rate by far of any group, and 
much of the impetus for enacting the ADA. The U.S. Census Bureau shows 
that little has changed in the last 20 years. Today, only 42% of 
working-age men, and 34% of working-age women, with disabilities are 
employed.
  The ADA levels the playing field, but it cannot ensure that an 
individual with a disability is actually able to apply for that job, or 
to that university. As technological advances continue to close 
physical gaps for people with disabilities in and out of the workplace, 
let us also be mindful to provide the tools needed to cross the mental 
gaps they may face.
  Confidence and recognition of self-worth are absolutely necessary to 
taking those big steps toward employment, or education. To promote 
this, we need legislation like the Medicaid Community-Based Attendant 
Services and Supports Act, H.R 910, a bill introduced by my colleague 
Rep. Danny Davis and which I have cosponsored. This bill would provide 
individuals with disabilities equal access to community-based attendant 
services and supports, taking many out of institutional care and 
placing them back into their homes, families and communities where they 
belong. In supportive and familiar environments, people with 
disabilities will be better prepared to take advantage of education and 
employment opportunities.
  We must continue to educate the public, and help inspire employers to 
seek out qualified employees with disabilities. We must fight to 
broaden, not narrow, the scope of the ADA as we continually redefine 
the meaning of ``disability.'' America has become more accessible to 
people with disabilities. This fact rightfully deserves 3 celebration 
today. However, Congress must continue to level the playing field and 
continue the promise to push for full, unrestricted access and 
participation for our disabled communities.

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