Joseph Bensmihen, MSW, RG recently attended the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and was invited into the Congressional chamber. He met with Rep. Jim Langevin who presided over the House and with his local Congressman, Rep. Ted Deutsch.

Mr. Bensmihen is the CEO of Boca Home Care Services, Inc. and the Vice President and Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the National Private Care Association.  He frequently meets with policy makers in Washington D.C. to advocate for Seniors and people with disabilities.

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act

Signed into law in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act protects people with physical or mental disabilities from discrimination. A disability is defined as any condition that impairs one or more major life activities, and the law was expanded in 2008 to include chronic health conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy and cancer.

Rep. Jim Langevin, who is paralyzed from the chest down, presided over the House for the first time on Monday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Rhode Island Democrat, who in 2000 was the first quadriplegic  elected to the House, used a newly installed mechanical lift system to gain access to the speaker’s podium in his motorized wheelchair.

Watch the House Sessions Here

No related posts.