Recognizing the importance of independent living and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities made possible by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and calling for further action to strengthen and expand health care for individuals with disabilities to work and live in the community.

Summary

States congressional findings that, despite the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Olmstead decision, many people with disabilities remain segregated in institutional settings because of an institutional bias in Medicaid and insufficient community supports. Notes disproportionate COVID-19 harms (including Long COVID), greater disaster risks, and racial disparities in access to health care, education, housing, and integrated employment, and concludes that the ADA is a floor, not a ceiling, requiring collaboration to achieve full community inclusion and independent living.

• Finds that many people with disabilities remain in segregated institutional settings despite the ADA and Olmstead.
• Identifies an institutional bias in the Medicaid program as a major driver of institutionalization.
• Notes insufficient community support services limit independent living and integrated employment opportunities.
• Highlights disproportionate COVID-19 harms, including increases in disability from Long COVID.
• Draws attention to greater disaster-related risks for people with disabilities.
• Emphasizes disparate impacts on people of color with disabilities in healthcare, education, housing, and employment.
• Declares the ADA is a floor, not a ceiling, and calls for collaboration to ensure full participation and economic self-sufficiency.
• Does not authorize funding or impose new legal requirements; it expresses findings and priorities.