Yang Rohr-Sponsored Law Aims to Help Disabled Individuals Access Essential Resources

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – A new law passed by state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, will make acquiring assistive technology devices and services needed by people with disabilities easier for government entities. 

“Resources that disabled individuals need should be easily accessible without having to go through unnecessary challenges,” said Yang Rohr. “We must be continuously working to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities.”

Yang Rohr worked to pass House Bill 2616, which will ensure that government entities are not in violation of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) by making a necessary change to the Illinois Procurement Code. The ADA states that an individual shall not be discriminated against based on their disability. Before Yang Rohr’s new law, many state and local agencies may have had difficulties securing technology necessary to allow individuals with disabilities to work and integrate seamlessly. The lack of these assistive technologies, which could include elevators and ramps, could be viewed as denying these individuals. By creating this exception to the procurement code, assistive technology devices and services can now be sourced through multiple suppliers instead of the alternative of waiting for bids to be submitted. House Bill 2616 was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.

“The procurement process that allows government entities to acquire the necessary technology to accommodate those with disabilities can take several months to complete and that’s just way too long,” said Yang Rohr. “Now, state agencies can provide necessary equipment within a more timely fashion and ensure that people with disabilities are not prevented from accessing career opportunities.”