CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 179

Introduced by Assembly Member Jones-Sawyer

April 18, 2024

Relative to disabled individuals.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


ACR 179, as introduced, Jones-Sawyer. Disabled individuals.
This measure would provide that Members of the Legislature organize a group to advance visibility, access, opportunity, and equity for disabled individuals. The measure would provide that the participating Members of the group be a center for the voices and experiences of disabled individuals. The measure would provide that the participating Members of the group take an active role in preventing the exclusion of, and discrimination against, disabled individuals. The measure would provide that the participating Members of the group work with disability leaders as equal partners in identifying problems and co-creating solutions to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. The measure would proclaim April 28, 2024 as a day for all Californians to acknowledge the contributions of disabled individuals, to honor the changes achieved in the past to establish the rights of disabled individuals, and to recognize the work remaining in the future to secure equity for disabled individuals.
Fiscal Committee: NO  
WHEREAS, According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7,090,015 adults in California have a disability; and
WHEREAS, The United States Census Bureau reports that more than 330,000 children in California have disabilities; and
WHEREAS, On April 28, 1977, disability rights activists in California secured implementation of the rights established under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 after leading the longest sit-in of a federal building in United States history; and
WHEREAS, Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 laid the foundation for the passage of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; and
WHEREAS, The federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was signed into law on July 26, 1990; and
WHEREAS, California is recognized as the birthplace of the disability rights movement and independent living movement; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with disabilities make meaningful contributions to the arts, employment, science, health care, technology, sports, education, law, their communities, and much more; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with disabilities are experts in their own lived experiences and are the most important drivers to create system change; and
WHEREAS, Family members, disability advocates, professionals, and allies play a key role in supporting and advocating for individuals with disabilities to live full and inclusive lives; and
WHEREAS, The Legislature has taken actions to expand the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities in California; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with disabilities remain at an increased risk of experiencing discrimination, isolation, segregation, and inequities; and
WHEREAS, The disability community lacks visibility and representation within the Legislature; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That Members of the Legislature may participate in a group to advance visibility, access, opportunity, and equity for disabled individuals; and be it further
Resolved, That the participating Members of the group be a center for the voices and experiences of disabled individuals; and be it further
Resolved, That the participating Members of the group take an active role in preventing the exclusion of, and discrimination against, disabled individuals; and be it further
Resolved, That the participating Members of the group work with disability leaders as equal partners in identifying problems and cocreating solutions to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature hereby proclaims April 28, 2024 as a day for all Californians to acknowledge the contributions of disabled individuals, to honor the changes achieved in the past to establish the rights of disabled individuals, and to recognize the work remaining in the future to secure equity for disabled individuals; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.