People with disabilities face a variety of challenges in many areas of life, but one of the most profound is in employment. In Pennsylvania, approximately 65% of people with disabilities are not involved in the work force, and this is, unfortunately, the reality in almost every state.
That is why I was very honored to receive word that I have been appointed to Pennsylvania’s Employment First Oversight Commission, a group tasked with increasing quality employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
This commission was created by the passage of Act 36 of 2018, bipartisan legislation that I co-authored with PA House Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster.
Ever since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), advocates have been pushing for states and the federal government to address the massive employment gap for people with disabilities. We know that competitive, family-sustaining employment is the lifeline to real independence, but progress has been slow in coming.
I am pleased to be part of this nonpartisan commission which has such an important role to play in improving people’s lives. We have made progress since the ADA, but the fullness of aspiration is up to us to complete. I am excited to join the commission and look forward to continuing to advocate for and with people with disabilities to improve employment possibilities, and I promise to bring a sense of urgency to the task.
Additionally, please keep in mind that our annual Disability & Mental Health Summit, which has become the largest collection of disability and mental health resources in western PA, is coming this spring. Look for details about this year’s event soon!
Best,
|