SLS 15RS-619 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 37
BY SENATOR DONAHUE
COMMENDATIONS. Commends the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council and
its grassroots advocacy network, LaCAN, for its advocacy efforts to support that people with
disabilities be allowed to live independently and become integrated and included in all facets
of community living, and to designate April 29, 2015, as Disability Rights Day in Louisiana.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To commend the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council and its grassroots advocacy
3 network, LaCAN, for its advocacy efforts to support that people with disabilities be
4 allowed to live independently and become integrated and included in all facets of
5 community living, and to designate April 29, 2015, as Disability Rights Day in
6 Louisiana.
7 WHEREAS, disability is a natural part of life and does not diminish the right of
8 individuals with disabilities to exercise control over their lives and fully participate in the
9 community; and
10 WHEREAS, children, regardless of the severity of their disability, need a nurturing
11 home environment so each child is able to develop adult and family relationships to their
12 fullest potential; and
13 WHEREAS, adults with developmental disabilities should be afforded the
14 opportunity to make decisions for themselves and live in typical homes and communities,
15 so they can exercise their full rights and responsibilities as citizens; and
16 WHEREAS, almost thirteen thousand people are waiting for individual and family
17 support and services that will allow them to live independently in their own home or with
18 their family rather than being segregated from their community in a facility to receive
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SLS 15RS-619 ORIGINAL
1 support, and this number continues to increase annually; and
2 WHEREAS, LaCAN is a statewide grassroots network of individuals, families, and
3 other stakeholders advocating for individual and family support and services for Louisiana's
4 citizens who experience developmental disabilities; and
5 WHEREAS, recognition of Disability Rights Day at the capitol allows individuals
6 with disabilities and families from across Louisiana to meet and educate legislators on the
7 issues impacting people with disabilities as well as rally support for individual and family
8 support and services; and
9 WHEREAS, this marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the federal Americans with
10 Disabilities Act (ADA), which expanded opportunities for Americans with disabilities by
11 reducing barriers and changing perceptions.
12 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
13 commend the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council and its grassroots advocacy
14 network, LaCAN, for its advocacy efforts to support that people with disabilities be allowed
15 to live independently and become integrated and included in all facets of community living,
16 and it hereby designates April 29, 2015, as Disability Rights Day in Louisiana.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
18 Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Christopher D. Adams.
DIGEST
SCR 37 Original 2015 Regular Session Donahue
Commends the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council and its grassroots advocacy
network, LaCAN, for its advocacy efforts to support that people with disabilities be allowed
to live independently and become integrated and included in all facets of community living,
and to designate April 29, 2015, as Disability Rights Day in Louisiana.
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