PRINTER'S NO. 2403
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
445
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY MILLARD, MURT, KINSEY, SCHLOSSBERG, D. MILLER,
POLINCHOCK, HOHENSTEIN, LONGIETTI, MADDEN, STRUZZI, KIRKLAND,
KENYATTA, JOHNSON-HARRELL, MOUL, HILL-EVANS AND KAUFER,
SEPTEMBER 3, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
SEPTEMBER 3, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an
advisory committee to conduct a study on challenges
individuals with disabilities face when traveling within this
Commonwealth and determine supports needed to accommodate
individuals with disabilities when traveling within this
Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, Travel and tourism make up an important sector of
this Commonwealth's economy, with more than 200 million visitors
traveling to or within the State every year, moving about from
place to place for work, personal errands and leisure
activities; and
WHEREAS, Travelers have a substantial financial impact on
this Commonwealth, spending more than $40 billion, supporting
more than 503,000 jobs and generating $4.1 billion in tax
revenue for the State and local governments; and
WHEREAS, More than 25 million Americans with disabilities
have reported travel-limiting disabilities and 3.6 million
Americans with travel-limiting disabilities do not leave their
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
homes because they are disabled or housebound; and
WHEREAS, Seven out of ten individuals with a disability
reduce their day-to-day travel because of their disability; and
WHEREAS, Thirty-two percent of individuals with a disability
are missing and canceling appointments daily due to
transportation-related difficulties; and
WHEREAS, Many travelers with disabilities are hesitant to
travel due to concerns about the availability of support and
accommodation available to them at their destination or during
their travels; and
WHEREAS, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recognizes
and protects an individual's right to fully participate in all
aspects of society, including the right to travel, if the
individual has a disability; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee
to conduct a study on challenges individuals with disabilities
face when traveling within this Commonwealth, including, but not
limited to, individuals with autism, vision impairments and
physical disabilities; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee investigate how the ADA
addresses challenges to travel for individuals with disabilities
and to what extent this Commonwealth's tourism industry can
improve and accommodate individuals with disabilities; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee be composed of
approximately 20 members with knowledge of and experience with
individuals with disabilities; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission submit a
report of the study and recommendations to remedy the current
20190HR0445PN2403 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
issues individuals with disabilities face when traveling within
this Commonwealth to the House of Representatives no later than
12 months after the adoption of this resolution.
20190HR0445PN2403 - 3 -
1
2
3