Resolution Supporting the Employment of People with Disabilities | National Lieutenant Governors Association

1 Resolution Supporting the Employment of People withDisabilities
2 Whereas,there are 57million Americans with disabilities and 16 percent are unemployed,
3 almost double the rate of unemployment among people without disabilities.
4 Whereas, up to 45 percent ofreturning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans believe theymay have a
5 disability and approximately 25 percent will have hidden disabilities‐such astraumatic brain
6 injury, post‐traumatic stress disorder, and depression.
7 Whereas,the Americans withDisabilities Act(ADA) prohibits discrimination in employment
8 against qualified individuals on the basis of disability. A disability underthe ADA is a physical or
9 mental impairmentthatsubstantially limits amajorlife activity such as hearing,seeing,
10 speaking, walking, breathing, performingmanualtasks, caring for oneself, learning, or working.
11 Whereas, an employerisrequired to provide a reasonable accommodation to an employee with
12 a disability unlessthe accommodation would be an undue hardship that would require
13 significant difficulty or expense.
14 Whereas,more than twenty years afterthe passage ofthe Americans with Disabilities Act,the
15 employmentrate of people with disabilitiesremains unacceptably low. Only about one‐third of
16 the working‐age population of people with disabilitiesis actually employed.
17 Whereas, employment opportunitymeans economic self‐sufficiency, independence, and a
18 chance atthe American dream. Many unemployed individuals with disabilities are ready, able,
19 and willing to work.
20 Whereas,the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination based on disability in any programs
21 conducted by federal agencies,receiving federal funds, in federal employment, and in the
22 employment practices offederal contractors.
23 Now,therefore letit be resolved,theNational LieutenantGovernors’ Association calls on each
24 LieutenantGovernorto encourage elected officialsto work with businesses,state governments,
25 and disability and aging leadersto promote policies and prescribe remediesto addressthe high
26 unemploymentrate of people with disabilities.
27 Now,therefore letit be resolved,theNational LieutenantGovernors’ Association calls on each
28 LieutenantGovernorto review their policiesregarding Americans with disabilitiesin an effortto
29 increase employment opportunitiesfor people with disabilities.

Sponsors: Lt.Govs.Denn (DE)&Bolling (VA ) Additional Sponors: Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon (IL)

For the 'National Lieutenant Governors Association' homepage: http://www.nlga.us/index.html