WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran  (R-Kan.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) recently introduced legislation to  bolster U.S. support for children with disabilities, helping support  local disabilities rights organizations and families of children with  disabilities around the world.

The International Children with Disabilities Protection Act would  create the ‘‘International Children with Disabilities Protection  Program,” a grant program within the State Department to empower  individuals with disabilities. Additionally, this legislation reinforces  U.S. policy to protect against the unnecessary institutionalization of  children with disabilities and to help promote the development of laws  and policies that support the full inclusion of children with  disabilities in families.

“Children with disabilities deserve a place in society where they are respected, loved and treated with basic human dignity,” said Sen. Moran.  “This legislation helps protect the most vulnerable children around the  globe and gives them opportunities to succeed by helping keep children  out of harmful institutions and supporting their families.”

“I am  proud to be joined by my colleagues in introducing our International  Children with Disabilities Protection Act to address gaps in the United  States’ assistance for the more than 240 million children with  disabilities worldwide,” said Sen. Menendez. “Children with  disabilities are among the most vulnerable in society—frequently denied  the choice to live with their loved ones, to receive an education, and  to engage and thrive in their communities. By shoring up our resources  to amplify the voices and bolster the work of those fighting for the  rights of children with disabilities around the world —particularly  families of children with disabilities— this legislation represents a  significant step forward in advancing disability rights and achieving  lasting reform.”

This legislation was cosponsored by Senators  Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),  Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Thom Tillis  (R-N.C.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jeff Merkley  (D-Ore.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

The International Children with Disabilities Protection Act is also supported by dozens of leading disability rights organizations.

“This  bill supports disability activists and families working in their own  countries to ensure that every child with a disability can live and grow  up with a family,” said Eric Rosenthal, Executive Director of Disability Rights International (DRI). “A relatively small investment by the United States in supporting  advocacy will have a big impact on protecting millions of children with  disabilities at-risk of losing their families.”

“The  International Children with Disabilities Protection Act provides support  to activists working in their own countries to make the legal and  policy changes needed to create alternatives to institutionalization and  support families to keep their children at home, at home, with access  to the help they need to thrive,” said Julie Ward, Senior Executive Officer, Public Policy, The Arc of the United States.

“When  my son was just diagnosed with autism 29 years ago, his physician  recommended institutionalizing him at just two years old,” said Isabel Hodge, Executive Director, U.S. International Council on Disabilities. “Today, with community-based supports, he lives in his own home, is  employed, and is also regularly involved in the community through church  activities and his hobbies. If we had acted on the physician’s  recommendation, then his life would be vastly different and we’re not  sure he would have survived into adulthood. All children deserve to grow  up with the love and support of their families and community. Please  support the International Children with Disabilities Protection Act.” 

Original source can be found here.