Press Releases

Congressman Don Beyer released the following statement commemorating the 25^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed on July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush.

“The Americans With Disabilities Act was a monumental achievement to ensure workplace inclusion and an equal opportunity to succeed for our largest minority group.  Nearly one in five Americans lives with a disability, including over 420,000 Virginians. 

“Our people are the greatest natural resource in our country.  We cannot afford to block access to employment for almost twenty percent of our potential workforce.

“As a small business owner, I understand the power of investing in your employees.  Thanks to the ADA, the doors to America’s workplaces will always be open and accessible for all those who want to enter.  I am proud to join my colleagues in celebrating 25 years of ADA success today.”

Rep. Beyer also applauded Obama Administration efforts to encourage disability hires by federal contractors in its revised Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  The new regulations prohibit employment discrimination against individuals based on disability by federal contractors and subcontractors.  It also requires that federal contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to recruit, employ, train, and promote qualified individuals with disabilities.

“Persistent unemployment in the disabled community is dismaying.  President Obama is right to use the federal government’s capacity to promote change through his Section 503 proposal to encourage disability hiring and prohibit discrimination at our federal contractors and subcontractors.  A number of these firms call Northern Virginia home and I look forward to seeing these proposals implemented,” said Rep. Beyer.

Rep. Beyer toured Northrop Grumman’s Information Systems Sector Headquarters with United States Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez this week to discuss the new Section 503 rules and highlight best workplace practices to accommodate people with disabilities. 

“A quarter century after its passage, the Americans with Disabilities Act remains one of the most far-reaching and ground-breaking civil rights laws in American history. The ADA has opened doors for millions and revolutionized the way society thinks about people with disabilities. People with disabilities can work and want to work, just like everyone else. Employers like Northrop Grumman are recognizing that recruiting workers with disabilities is good for the individual employee, good for the company bottom line, and good for the strength of the national economy,”  said Secretary Perez.