WASHINGTON, DC – The National Council on Independent Living today (7/21) thanked Congressman Ander Crenshaw for his dedication to helping individuals with disabilities at a Capitol Hill rally the group hosted to recognize the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Crenshaw spoke at the rally, thanking the participants for their focus on advancing policies that will help level the playing field for individuals with disabilities and outlined progress on his bill to create tax-deferred savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (H.R. 1205, ABLE Act) has 213 co-sponsors in the House and Senate and a number of outside organizations, including NCIL, also back the measure.
Crenshaw issued the following statement regarding the rally and his legislation:
“It’s been two decades since President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, and we’ve seen many attitudes change. This year we recognize those advances on the 20th anniversary of this landmark bill, but there is more ground to cover. We can’t rest on the good works of the past.
“That’s why I keep fighting for passage of the ABLE Act to create tax-deferred savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. The need for savings is even greater for a child with a disability because he or she will be less likely to earn an income and may require additional medical treatment or adaptive equipment. This bill would give families of people with disabilities a way to save for their child’s future just like every other American family.
“It’s one piece of a greater effort to help the disabled, and I thank everyone who has worked so hard on it and all the other programs that work to level the playing field for individuals with disabilities.”
###
