ADA turns 31; Bazelon Center urges legislative support from Congress

Abstract

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) turned 31 July 26. It has made a tremendous impact on the lives of people with disabilities and has made it possible for thousands to live in their own homes and communities, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law recently noted. But segregation remains far too common in our disability service systems, the Bazelon Center said in a statement. “Congress has the opportunity to pass new legislation that would make an unprecedented new investment in home and community‐based services for people with disabilities,” legal advocates stated. “The Better Care Better Jobs Act, introduced in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, would create a permanent 10% increase in the federal government's reimbursement to states for Medicaid home and community‐based services. The bill reflects President Biden's commitment in his American Jobs Plan to direct $400 billion to new home and community‐based services. Community mental health systems suffered devastating effects from the COVID‐19 pandemic. Now is the time to invest in community mental health services and other community‐based services for people with disabilities.”