Yang Rohr Advances Legislation to Help People With Disabilities

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Assistive technology devices and services needed by people with disabilities will become easier to acquire under new legislation sponsored by state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville.

“Individuals with disabilities shouldn’t have to go through a drawn-out process to get the resources they need to live,” said Yang Rohr. “It is extremely important to give the people who need assistance the priority they deserve.”

Yang Rohr’s legislation, House Bill 2616, makes a necessary change to the Illinois Procurement Code to ensure that organizations are not in violation of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). The ADA provides that an individual shall not be discriminated against based on their disability. The inability to secure technology necessary to allow individuals with disabilities to work and integrate seamlessly can be viewed as the denial of these individuals. By creating this exception to the procurement code, assistive technology devices and services can be sourced through multiple suppliers instead of the alternative of waiting for bids to be submitted.

“The procurement process that allows government entities to acquire the necessary technology to accommodate those with disabilities can take several months to complete,” said Yang Rohr. “Agencies that are tasked with the duty to assist individuals with disabilities to provide necessary equipment could now provide aid within a timely fashion.”

Yang Rohr’s legislation passed out of the House of Representatives unanimously and is awaiting consideration in the Senate.