Senate 21

SENATE RESOLUTION 21

(By Senator Takubo)

[Introduced January 28, 2026]

Designating January 29, 2026, as Jan Lilly-Stewart Disability Advocacy Day at the Capitol.

Whereas, Thirty-seven percent of West Virginians have disabilities. These individuals with disabilities, like all others, have the right to live, work, and fully participate in their communities in order to realize their dreams; and

Whereas, People with disabilities have the right to an equal opportunity to live full productive lives as valued citizens in the community or setting of their choice; and

Whereas, People with disabilities have the right to receive the supports they need to exercise self-determination, achieve independence, and become productive employees in the workplace; and

Whereas, West Virginia's citizens with disabilities have come together collectively to bring their concerns to the forefront of public awareness; and

Whereas, The Fair Shake Initiative is a program of the WV Statewide Independent Living Council and was formed to carry on the work of the Fair Shake Network who developed a grassroots movement to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to learn from each other and take action together; and

Whereas, The Fair Shake Initiative will continue to be a credible source of information for policymakers, advocates, and the public on policies and programs that impact people with disabilities; and

Whereas, Organizations such as the WV Statewide Independent Living Council,  Mountain State Centers for Independent Living, LiveAbility, Appalachian Center for Independent Living, Whole Families, Mountain State Parents Child and Adolescent Network, WV Statewide Rehabilitation Council, WV Parent Training and Information Center, WV Autism Training Center, Disability Rights of WV, Olmstead Council, WV Division of Rehabilitation Services, Open Doors, Inc., WVU Center on Excellence In Disabilities, WV Aging & Disability Resource Center, WV Association. of the Deaf, The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley, The Arc of WV, People First of WV, WV Developmental Disabilities Council, WV Human Rights Commission, WV Center on Budget and Policy have joined together to help increase public awareness of issues and concerns involving West Virginians with disabilities through the Fair Shake Initiative; and

Whereas, The purpose of Jan Lilly-Stewart Disability Advocacy Day is to increase awareness and understanding of legislators, administrators, policymakers, and the public about the issues that are important to individuals with disabilities; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates January 29, 2026, as Jan Lilly-Stewart Disability Advocacy Day at the Capitol; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Paul W. Smith of the Independent Living Council.