Testifiers describe need to expand the ADA to reflect real accessibility
Policy hearing held as part of Rep. Hohenstein’s annual Disability Summit
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro October 8, 2026
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 9 – The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted 36 years ago with a goal of protecting those living with disabilities from discrimination and implementing laws to create a more accessible public landscape. But as the world has evolved, the ADA is struggling to evolve with it. The House Majority Policy Committee convened a hearing Thursday, hosted by Rep. Joe Hohenstein (D-Phila.), to examine what can be done to expand the law to reflect what real accessibility looks like.
“Accessibility is about more than meeting a standard or checking a box. It’s about making sure every person has a fair opportunity to participate in their community, pursue their goals, and reach their full potential. We’ve made important progress over the past few decades, but we must keep working to make sure every person with disabilities can live without barriers,” Hohenstein said. “We’ve heard about the impact that greater engagement and involvement from the disability community can have, and that accessibility can be something that we focus on and define in ways that are above and beyond what the law may require. We need to be certain that decisions are being made from appropriate input directly from the community.”
Thursday’s hearing was held as part of Hohenstein’s annual Disability Summit, a two-day event featuring workshops and panels focused on assisting people living with disabilities and their caregivers. Testimony at the hearing focused on the history of the ADA and what needs to happen to ensure accessibility in both the real world and digital world.
Testifiers said while the ADA was introduced to establish accessibility as civil rights and a legal obligation, today there is a big gap between places that are compliant with the law and places that are truly accessible. Testifiers detailed difficult experience navigating “accessible” entrances, routes, and buildings in their everyday lives. Even though these spaces may technically be compliant with the law, they don’t truly reflect accessibility.
In addition to physical barriers, testifiers said the other major barrier they face is an attitude barrier. Just because a building is accessible and inclusive, it doesn’t mean the people inside will treat people with disabilities the way they need to be treated or include them as they should be included. Testifiers shared stories of gaining access to buildings only for their concerns to be dismissed, or being unable to navigate inaccessible digital programs.
One of the solutions provided by members of the disability community is centered on ensuring people with disabilities are in the room to make decisions that impact them, rather than being asked for feedback afterward. Shane Feldman, founder of Innivee Strategies, a deaf-led consulting organization, cited data that showed fewer than 5% of disability nonprofit Chief Executives and 3% of board chairs have a disability. Testifiers said there is a great need for people with disabilities to be in the decision room and help make the choices that will directly impact them.
“Disability representation drops as roles rise; the pipeline narrows at every step up. People with disabilities are in the workforce, but they are not getting to the decision seat. Putting lived experience in decision-making roles, not only advisory ones, can be impactful,” Feldman said. We need to put people with lived experience on the hiring process, committee and in the final decision.”
Testifiers explained that in the ever-increasing digital world, accessibility standards need to be put in place there too. Classrooms, workplaces, healthcare services and businesses extend across websites, apps and online platforms. It is vital that accessibility follows people with disabilities into those spaces as well.
“Every Pennsylvanian deserves the opportunity to live independently, work, and fully participate in their community. While the ADA helped lay the foundation for those opportunities for everyone, we must recognize that there is still work to be done,” said House Majority Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie). “We must listen to people with disabilities, include them in decisions that affect their lives, and ensure accessibility is a priority in public spaces and emerging technologies. Only then will we have a Pennsylvania that is truly inclusive to all.”
Testifiers at Thursday’s hearing included Theo Braddy, Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living; Emily Voorde, Former Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement; Shane Feldman, Chief Executive Officer of Innivee Strategies; Candice Davis, a disability advocate and leader; and Jeremy Yale, Director of Policy and Quality Management for the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs.
Testimony submitted for the hearing can be found here.
Information about this and other House Democratic Policy Committee events can be found at pahouse.com/policy.