Congressional Democrats are pushing for federal insurance policies mandating that gyms and health facilities within the U.S. be accessible for Individuals with disabilities.
Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Calif., launched a invoice “to advertise the supply of train machines and tools, and train and health courses and instruction, which are accessible to people with disabilities” earlier this week, the Congressional Report exhibits.
It seems to be a companion invoice to the “Train and Health For All Act” launched within the higher chamber by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ailing., earlier this 12 months.
The laws would direct the U.S. Entry Board, a federal company regulating accessibility for folks with disabilities, to create new guidelines for health amenities throughout the nation.
It might mandate “that train or health instruction provided by the train or health service supplier are accessible to people with disabilities,” and that at the least one worker skilled in working with folks with disabilities be on the clock throughout all working hours.
If applied, it could be a big step ahead for accessibility advocates within the U.S., and a big change for probably a whole lot of U.S. companies.
Duckworth advised Forbes in July of this 12 months that a part of her inspiration for the invoice got here from her personal struggles to seek out enough fitness center tools. Duckworth, a retired lieutenant colonel, misplaced each of her legs when a rocket-propelled grenade hit the helicopter she was co-piloting in Iraq in 2004.
She and DeSaulnier had been each a part of a previous push within the 117th Congress to introduce the invoice, alongside late Rep. Don Younger, R-Alaska.
“[F]ar too many Individuals are nonetheless excluded from fundamental entry to train tools and health courses resulting from outdated tools and companies, inaccessible to people with disabilities,” DeSaulnier stated in an announcement on the time.
“It’s unacceptable that these limitations nonetheless exist that make it tougher for people with disabilities to get the train they should dwell wholesome lives.”
His re-introduction of the invoice on Tuesday seems to be largely symbolic, contemplating there aren’t any extra legislative days within the 118th Congress’ calendar.
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