Gardner Announces Colorado is Second State to Have Entire Delegation as Cosponsors of the Disability Integration Act

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- The office of Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colorado, issued the following news release:

Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) announced today that Colorado has become the second state to have their entire Congressional delegation cosponsor the Disability Integration Act only 21 days since introduction of the bill on January 15, 2019.

The Disability Integration Act is a bill that affirms the right of people with disabilities and seniors to live in freedom, rather than be forced into unwanted institutionalization. It would require states and insurance providers who pay for institutional placement to also offer long term services and supports in the community.

"Individuals with disabilities should have the right to live in the setting that best fits their needs and allows them to live as independently as possible in their community," said Senator Gardner. "After hearing first-hand from the ADAPT community in Colorado, I was proud to be the first Senate Republican to champion this critical legislation that will help ensure individuals living with disabilities are provided the flexibility to live how they choose."

"We know that it will take members of Congress from both side of the aisle to make DIA the law of the land," said Dawn Russell, an organizer with Atlantis ADAPT in Denver, Colorado. "We want to thank every member of Colorado's delegation for supporting the rights of disabled people to live in freedom, especially Senator Gardner who was the first Republican on the Senate bill."

DIA has widespread support from over 730 organizations from across the nation. At the DIA introduction event, AARP announced their support for the bill, illustrating support from the aging community and the importance of seniors being able to age in their own homes instead of being forced into nursing facilities as they grow older.

Colorado joins Vermont on the growing list of states that have their entire delegation as cosponsors of DIA. "We were thrilled that all of our members of Congress from Vermont were original cosponsors of the Disability Integration Act this session, and we are excited to see more states join us!" said Sarah Launderville, the Executive Director of the Vermont Center for Independent Living. "I think this really demonstrates the importance of ensuring that disabled and elderly Americans can live in the community."

ADAPT and the broader Disability Community have called upon the House of Representatives to pass DIA before July 26th of this year, which will also mark the 29th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.