[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 13163]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          25TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Costello) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this past Sunday was a 
special and historic day. It marked 25 years since the Americans with 
Disabilities Act was signed into law.
  The ADA has had a profound impact on our country and its citizens. It 
speaks to the best about our country; toward forming a more perfect 
union, it aims to provide equal opportunity for those who have a 
disability.
  This anniversary, I feel, allows us to reflect on something that 
unites us; that is it is estimated that one in five Americans is living 
with a disability. Disabilities affect individuals in every 
congressional district in this country, in every State, in every 
neighborhood. It touches the lives of everyone--race, gender, income. 
No demographic is exempt from disability.
  This law provides hope for those who have a disability and offers 
promise that opportunities exist for self-fulfillment.
  On both a philosophical and practical level, it stands for the 
proposition that providing reasonable accommodations to those with a 
disability is how a civil society addresses an imbalance borne through 
no fault of the individual.
  The law and its legislative, regulatory, and judicial progeny enables 
us to address issues such as public transportation, housing, education, 
and social services in a more thoughtful, proactive, effective, and 
humane way. While there is no doubt that substantial progress has been 
made, I am not here on the House floor to say that our work is done--
because it isn't.
  Thanks to the law, about 50 million Americans have been helped, and 
that doesn't include their families and loved ones who can point to how 
laws do matter and can make a positive impact.
  Let's focus on the challenges that we still confront that relate to 
access and opportunity on holding up the standard of self-sufficiency 
for individuals with a disability and looking at how public policy can 
be shaped to help achieve this standard for disabled Americans. The 
crux is often that time between ending in the classroom and looking for 
employment opportunity.
  Just yesterday, I met with Abilities in Motion, a Berks County 
organization in my district that provides outstanding services to 
individuals and families in Berks County.
  During our discussion, I heard from individuals and parents who, 
through grit and determination, were able--and are able--to navigate 
the complex maze of programs and services and funding streams to 
coordinate caregivers, transportation, and employment in the 
postacademic world.
  Let's focus on streamlining and better integrating these programs and 
funding streams, and let's focus on encouraging job opportunities for 
disabled individuals who want to work and build a meaningful career.

                              {time}  1030

  Let's also focus on improving transportation options so that 
individuals who want to work are able to get to work without 
difficulty.
  Let's continue to set forth and advance good policy, like the ABLE 
Act from the last Congress, which will encourage individuals and 
families to save tax-free dollars to help finance the costs associated 
with disabilities.
  I am grateful for the tireless work of Abilities in Motion and other 
organizations that serve families and individuals in my district, such 
as the National Federation of the Blind, The Arc Alliance, the 
Disability Rights Network, and the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent 
Living Council. These organizations, their employees, and their 
volunteers work day in and day out to improve everyday lives.
  Last, let's also thank the families who sacrifice for their loved 
ones who have disabilities, and let's recognize the courage and the 
hard work of those who have disabilities as they endure every day to 
become self-sufficient. It really speaks to what is great about this 
country.
  Everyone out there who suffers from a disability and who wakes up 
every day with optimism and purpose, you are to be commended. You are 
the American success story.
  Mr. Speaker, over the past 25 years, the ADA has increased 
accessibility and has empowered millions of Americans with 
disabilities. It is important to acknowledge the progress, but it is 
also important to recognize that there are still challenges that we 
should address from a public policy perspective. We must continue our 
efforts, in a bipartisan manner, to advance policy that keeps us a step 
ahead and that meets the needs of disabled Americans today and 
tomorrow.

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