Lateefah Simon: “As the first congenitally blind person to serve in the United States Congress, I am honored to rise today in support of…”

“As the first congenitally blind person to serve in the United States Congress, I am honored to rise today in support of this bipartisan bill with Representative Stauber, the ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act. The disability community is too often left out of policy conversations, and today, Democrats and Republicans are bringing our brothers and sisters to the table. Right now, the unemployment rate for people with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities remains alarmingly high in this country. Ashamedly, it is at 80 percent. Yes, 80 percent. This, we know, is unacceptable. We can close the disability employment gap, not only to advance independence, dignity, and freedom for Americans with disabilities, but to drive economic growth.”