Delegate Paul Krizek Announces Funding for Special Assistant to the Governor for Disability Rights Advocacy

DELEGATE PAUL KRIZEK ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE GOVERNOR FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCACY

Tuesday, February 22— Delegate Paul Krizek (D-Mount Vernon) announced today that the House Appropriations Committee has approved an amendment to the Budget Bill (HB 30) to support a Special Assistant to the Governor for Disability Rights Advocacy. This move affirms Delegate Krizek’s legislative effort during the 2022 General Assembly session with HB 595.

“This is an important victory for the Commonwealth,” said Delegate Krizek. “I look forward to working with the Administration, the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, and the broader disability community on this critical initiative. Every bill, policy, and action taken by Virginia state workers has the potential to affect a person with a disability. A Special Assistant in the Governor’s Office would be able to better coordinate with these individuals, who are facing a large gap between accessible services and their actual needs. These Virginians deserve access to opportunities and support. The state has the opportunity to level the playing field and set the standard for local governments as we all work together to provide for the citizens of the Commonwealth and their different needs.”

“We are beyond ecstatic to see money for a special assistant to the governor on disability included in the House proposed budget,” said Matthew Shapiro, Lobbyist for Virginia Association of People Supporting Employment First. “We are hopeful that this proposal can make it through the Senate and to the governor's desk. It has been 16 years since someone has held this title in an administration. We believe that this is yet another vital tool to help provide resources and support to all Virginians with disabilities. This position will be monumental for the disability community. We look forward to working with the Youngkin administration to find an exemplary candidate to fill this important post.”

“Embracing and empowering this position is marvelous and will be a great asset to the residents of Virginia, for people with disabilities, caregivers, and family members, regardless of age of onset, type of disability, and socio-economic status,” said Dr. Susan A. Elmore, advocate and person living and working with a disability. “This position will be able to educate, advocate, connect people to existing services, engage discussions on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for Virginians, and much more. People with disabilities are included in “all men are created equal” as per the Declaration of Independence, and this position will continue to educate and support the values of people with disabilities as part of society, versus being underserved, and unserved.”

1 in 4 Virginians live with a disability. There are no positions currently in the Virginia government that cover people of all ages with disabilities. Virginia does not have an Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, despite federal law requiring every organization with fifty or more employees to have one.

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