H 8629

2026 -- H 8629
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LC006593
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  STATE  OF       RHODE  ISLAND
  IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
  ____________
  HOUSE RESOLUTION
  PROCLAIMING JULY 2026 AS "DISABILITY AWARENESS AND DISABILITY PRIDE
  MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
  Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Paplauskas,
  Slater, Casey, Edwards, Kennedy, and Azzinaro
  Date Introduced: June 11, 2026
  Referred To: House read and passed
1WHEREAS, July is nationally recognized as Disability Pride Month and Disability
2 Awareness Month, celebrating the contributions, achievements, history, and civil rights of people
3 with disabilities; and
4WHEREAS, July 26, 2026, marks the thirty-sixth anniversary of the signing of the
5 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landmark civil rights legislation that prohibits
6 discrimination against individuals with disabilities and promotes equal access, opportunity, and
7 inclusion in all aspects of society; and
8WHEREAS, The ADA represented a historic promise of accessibility, independence,
9 inclusion, and equal opportunity; however, barriers continue to exist in housing, transportation,
10 education, employment, healthcare, voting, technology, and public accommodations; and
11WHEREAS, More than twenty-six percent of Rhode Islanders live with a disability,
12 making people with disabilities one of the largest and most diverse communities in our State and
13 nation; and
14WHEREAS, People with disabilities contribute significantly to Rhode Island's economic,
15 civic, educational, cultural, and social life and enrich our communities through their leadership,
16 talents, resilience, and achievements; and
17WHEREAS, Disability Pride recognizes that people with disabilities are a natural and
18 valuable part of human diversity, and Disability Awareness calls upon all of us to identify and
19 remove barriers that prevent full participation and equal opportunity; and
1WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island remains committed to advancing accessibility,
2 equity, independence, inclusion, and dignity for all residents, regardless of ability; now, therefore
3 be it
4RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
5 proclaims the month of July 2026 as "Disability Awareness and Disability Pride Month" in the
6 State of Rhode Island; and be it further
7RESOLVED, That this House honors the thirty-sixth anniversary of the Americans with
8 Disabilities Act on July 26, 2026, and recommits itself to building a Rhode Island in which
9 accessibility is the standard, inclusion is the expectation, and every individual has the opportunity
10 to reach their full potential; and be it further
11RESOLVED, That all Rhode Islanders, businesses, schools, community organizations,
12 and government agencies are encouraged to recognize Disability Awareness and Disability Pride
13 Month by promoting accessibility, advancing inclusion, celebrating the contributions of
14 individuals with disabilities, and fostering a culture of respect and equal opportunity throughout
15 the State of Rhode Island and beyond; and be it further
16RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
17 transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Tina Guenette, the CEO, Founder, and
18 President of Real Access Motivates Progress (R.A.M.P.).
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LC006593
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  LC006593 - Page 2 of 2