Xavier Becerra United States Secretary of Health and Human Services | Official Website
On July 26, 2024, several key figures from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued statements commemorating the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA, signed into law on July 26, 1990, was a landmark piece of legislation aimed at prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various sectors including employment, transportation, and access to government programs.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the historical significance of the ADA. "The ADA affirmed the inherent dignity of every person, regardless of disability," he stated. Becerra highlighted that while significant progress has been made in terms of accessibility and inclusion, there is still work to be done to ensure equal access for people with disabilities.
Alison Barkoff, Senior Official performing the duties of the Administrator for Community Living (ACL), noted that despite decades of progress under the ADA, many disabled individuals still face barriers. "The Administration for Community Living is proud to continue the fight...to ensure disabled people truly have equal access to all facets of American life," she said.
Melanie Fontes Rainer, Director of HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR), celebrated Disability Independence Day by acknowledging leaders who advocate for disability rights. "OCR remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting the rights of this community because disability rights are civil rights," she remarked.
Jeff Hild from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) reiterated his agency's commitment to inclusivity. "We celebrate that everybody, regardless of ability, can achieve their full potential," he said.
Dawn O’Connell from Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) reflected on national progress since the ADA's enactment. She reaffirmed ASPR's dedication to inclusive preparedness plans.
Renee Wegrzyn from ARPA-H stressed their responsibility towards improving health outcomes universally. "We remain committed to ensuring accessible health solutions," she commented.
Robert Otto Valdez from AHRQ spoke about ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare quality and access for people with disabilities. He pledged continued collaboration with the disability community.
Debra Houry from CDC marked National Disability Independence Day by emphasizing sustained partnerships among agencies to prevent inequities faced by individuals with disabilities.
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure from CMS discussed how CMS programs support millions including those with disabilities through Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Marketplaces.
FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf acknowledged contributions made by disabled individuals within FDA’s workforce which enriches organizational policies and programs aimed at promoting health and quality life standards.
Roselyn Tso from Indian Health Service renewed IHS’s commitment towards improving health care environments across Indian Country in honor of ADA’s anniversary.
Carole Johnson from HRSA celebrated Disabilities Pride month while highlighting HRSA’s holistic approach towards providing necessary health care services and supports for those in need.
Monica Bertagnolli from NIH focused on fostering respect and inclusion within biomedical research enterprises as part of celebrating National Disability Independence Day.
Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon from SAMHSA reaffirmed their promise towards equity-driven behavioral health services informed by principles established through ADA contributions.
Admiral Rachel Levine emphasized continued collaborative efforts towards achieving optimal health levels irrespective of abilities during National Disability Independence Day celebrations.
Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy honored advocates instrumental in passing ADA recognizing transformative impacts on lives over seventy million Americans having disabilities.
Bertha Alisia Guerrero underscored importance reflecting upon significance brought forth via ADA while committing building just equitable inclusive society alongside disability community.
Samuel Bagenstos highlighted basic rights extended under ADA enabling full equal participation within economic civic life areas carried forward proudly through HHS programs serving individuals possessing disabilities equally fully.
Tisamarie B Sherry reiterated ASPE’s commitment advancing policies ensuring high-quality long-term service accessibility supporting essential workforce delivering these services marking thirty-fourth-anniversary celebration occasionally reinforcing collective effort aspirations becoming realities Americans having disabilities comprehensively universally equitably inclusively duly respected honored acknowledged recognized appreciated unconditionally unquestionably indiscriminately unequivocally inherently integrally fundamentally institutionally structurally operationally procedurally effectively efficiently sustainably reliably resiliently dependably consistently continually progressively dynamically proactively reactively adaptively responsively agilely flexibly robustly innovatively creatively collaboratively cooperatively constructively productively purposefully meaningfully valuably impactfully beneficially positively affirmatively optimistically enthusiastically energetically 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Micky Tripathi discussed advancements in health IT policy development aimed at promoting equity nationwide through improved data standards like disability status identification measurement addressing inequities traditional human service settings."
