Senator Carlucci Invited to White House for 25th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

Senator David Carlucci (D – Rockland/Westchester) has been invited to the White House by President Barack Obama to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

President George H.W. Bush signed the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. The ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. The ADA also assures equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities for access to businesses, employment, transportation, state and local government programs and services, and telecommunications.

“It is an honor to be invited to the White House to celebrate this important anniversary,” said Senator David Carlucci. “The Americans with Disabilities Act revolutionized the law and care for people with disabilities, and it is truly amazing how far we have come. That being said, there is still imperative work that needs to be done to improve the lives of people with disabilities.”

Senator Carlucci has served as Chair of the Senate Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, and is currently Chair of the Senate Committee on Social Services,  where he has worked to advance the health, independence, employment opportunities and quality of life for people with disabilities.

Senator Carlucci passed the ABLE Act, legislation that will provide people with disabilities and their families the opportunity to create a tax-exempt savings account that can be used for maintaining health, independence and quality of life.

Senator Carlucci passed Inspire New York, legislation that created a tax credit for employers who hire individuals with a developmental disability who are unemployed or a current employee of a sheltered workshop. Senator Carlucci also passed legislation requiring the removal of the word handicapped from new or replaced state signage, as well as update and destigmatize the Accessibility Logo.

Senator Carlucci also passed legislation creating the Mental Health Public Awareness Tax Check Off, which will allow taxpayers the ability to make a tax-free donation that will fund mental health public awareness campaigns across the state to help end the stigmas associated with mental illness and encourage those in need of help to seek treatment.