You’re Hired: Casey Introduces Bills to Increase Employment for People with Disabilities
Casey Makes Down Payment on Third Term Agenda to Improve Lives of People With Disabilities
Washington, DC – As U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Ranking Member of the Special Committee on Aging, begins his third term he plans to continue addressing chronic issues that people with disabilities face including economic security, accessible education and affordable health care.
“In order to keep America’s promise to empower the 61 million Americans with disabilities, we must address the barriers they face to education, employment, housing and health care,” Senator Casey said. “Although we have made progress, there are still far too many people who aren’t able to fully realize the American dream because of outdated laws and social stigmas. I will continue to use input from the disability community to develop common-sense policies.”
Yesterday, Sen. Casey kicked-off his agenda on disability policy with the introduction of two bills to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. According to a June 2019 report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 20 percent of people with disabilities, of working age, are employed.
Disability Employment Incentive Act
This bill would increase three existing tax credits for employers who hire and retain employees with disabilities and make workplaces more accessible. Senators co-sponsoring the bill include: Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA),
Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
Organizations that support the bill include: The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), Autism Society, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, The Arc of the United States, Paralyzed Veterans of America and United Spinal Association.
Transformation to Competitive Employment Act
Introduced by Sen. Casey and U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, this bill would provide grants to transition subminimum wage programs into competitive integrated employment, with support services, which would protect jobs and increase employment services available to people with disabilities. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) is a co-sponsor of the bill.
Organizations that support the bill include The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination (CPSD), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) and National Federation of the Blind (NFB).
