SENATE RESOLUTION 20

(By Senators Maroney, Lindsay, Beach, Romano, Woelfel, Plymale, Baldwin, Roberts, Hamilton, Caputo, Stollings, and Rucker)

[Introduced March 16, 2021]

Designating March 17, 2021, as Disability Advocacy Day at the Legislature.

Whereas, There are over 400,000 West Virginians with disabilities. These individuals with disabilities, like all others, have the right to live, work, and fully participate in their communities in order to realize their dreams; and

Whereas, People with disabilities have the right to an equal opportunity to live full, productive lives as valued citizens in the community or setting of their choice; and

Whereas, People with disabilities have the right to receive the support they need to exercise self-determination, achieve independence, and become productive employees in the workplace; and

Whereas, West Virginia’s citizens with disabilities have banded together in a collective group, the Fair Shake Network, to help bring their concerns to the forefront of public awareness; and

Whereas, The Fair Shake Network has developed a statewide network concerned with all types of disabilities and all age groups, providing opportunities for people to learn from each other and take action together; and

Whereas, The Fair Shake Network has become a credible source of information for policymakers, advocates, and the public on policies and programs that impact people with disabilities; and

Whereas, Organizations such as the West Virginia Department of Rehabilitation  Services,  West Virginia Development Disabilities Council, West Virginia Parent Training and Information, Job Squad, Disability Rights of West Virginia, Mountain State Centers for  Independent Living, Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living, Appalachian Center for Independent Living, Statewide Rehabilitation Council, West Virginia Association of the Deaf, Open Doors, Inc., National Association of Social Workers—West Virginia Chapter, West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities, West Virginia Autism Training Center, West Virginia Olmstead Office, Mountain State Parents CAN, Aging and Disability Resource Network, Whole Families, People First of West Virginia, the Arc of The Mid-Ohio Valley, and the Arc of West Virginia have joined together to help increase public awareness of issues and concerns involving West Virginians with disabilities through the Fair Shake Network; and

Whereas, The purpose of Disability Advocacy Day is to increase the awareness and understanding of legislators, administrators, policymakers, and the public about the issues that are important to individuals with disabilities; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate herby designates March 17, 2021, as Disability Advocacy Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the appropriate representatives of the Fair Shake Network.