Inclusion for People who Experience Disabilities
Senator Hassan first got involved in public service as an advocate fighting to ensure that children like her son, Ben, who experiences severe disabilities, would be fully included in their communities. Her advocacy on behalf of people who experience disabilities has informed her work in public service ever since.
The Senator continues to fight to ensure that individuals who experience disabilities receive the support they need to be fully included in our society, including at home, in school, and at work.
She will always stand up against any attempt to undermine the right of students with disabilities to have access to a free and appropriate education, as guaranteed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). She is fighting against attempts to undermine the traditional Medicaid program, which would be particularly devastating to efforts to help people who experience disabilities stay in their homes and fully participate in their communities. She is also committed to protecting and enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.
Senator Hassan has been clear that while we know that the work of inclusion is not always easy, we also know that when we fully include more people in our society and economy, our entire nation grows stronger.
Related News
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September 10, 2018
Senator Hassan Announces Opposition to Judge Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court
WASHINGTON - Senator Maggie Hassan wrote an op-ed today announcing her opposition to Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to serve on the Supreme Court. See below for highlights, or click here for the full Medium post.
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August 07, 2018
Senators Hassan, Shaheen Cosponsor Legislation to Protect Medicare and Medicaid from Partisan Attacks
WASHINGTON - Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen cosponsored legislation last week to protect Medicare and Medicaid from partisan attacks. The Medicare and Medicaid Protection Act would require a supermajority (60 votes) to make major changes to these critical health care programs in the wake of repeated attempts from President Trump and Republicans in Congress to slash funding for these vital programs.
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July 26, 2018
Senator Hassan Statement on 28th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act
WASHINGTON - Senator Maggie Hassan issued the following statement today on the 28th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
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July 06, 2018
Senators Hassan, Shaheen Announce $73,000 Grant for UNH Institute on Disability to Study Individuals Who Experience Disabilities in Housing and Urban Development Programs
WASHINGTON - Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen today announced that the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability (UNH IOD) received a federal grant of more than $73,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to conduct research in collaboration with HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R). The grant will support research on Granite Staters and Americans who experience disabilities using HUD programs. In 2017, it was estimated that that 44 percent of HUD-assisted adults experience a disability.
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March 15, 2018
Senators Hassan, Shaheen Cosponsor Legislation to Fully Fund Special Education
WASHINGTON - Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) this week cosponsored the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Full Funding Act to ensure Congress’s commitment to fully fund the IDEA. In 1975, Congress passed IDEA to ensure that every child with a disability has access to educational opportunity. This legislation was a historic step forward, but since its passage Congress has failed to provide the funding promised under this bill.
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March 09, 2018
Casey, Hassan, Dingell Continue Fight Against Campus Sexual Assault
Washington, D.C. - Although great strides have been made in advancing protections against sexual violence on college campuses, students with disabilities still suffer a disproportionate number of violent sexual crimes. A recent report from the National Council on Disability, “Not on the Radar: Sexual Assault of College Students with Disabilities,” found that the needs of these students are often not addressed under existing policies. To address this gap and build upon the work of the landmark Jeanne Clery Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), alongside U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), introduced the Safe Equitable Campus Resources and Education (SECuRE) Act. U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12)introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
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February 14, 2018
Ahead of House Vote, Senator Hassan Statement on Shameful Legislation Undermining Protections for Individuals with Disabilities
WASHINGTON - Senator Maggie Hassan issued the following statement ahead of a vote in the House of Representatives on backward legislation that would undermine critical protections for individuals who experience disabilities. Senator Hassan spoke out against this legislation last year, and she continues to stand with hundreds of disability rights organizations in opposing the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017.
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November 20, 2017
At Ruderman Inclusion Summit, Senator Hassan Calls for Continued Action to Fully Include Individuals Who Experience Disabilities
BOSTON - Senator Maggie Hassan participated today in the 2017 Ruderman Inclusion Summit, an annual gathering of advocates, stakeholders, and policymakers to advance the full inclusion of individuals who experience disabilities in our society, including at home, in school, and at work.
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November 02, 2017
At Harkin International Disability Employment Summit, Senator Hassan Highlights Importance of Employment Opportunities for Individuals who Experience Disabilities
WASHINGTON - Senator Maggie Hassan today addressed the Harkin International Disability Employment Summit, where she highlighted the importance of employment opportunities for individuals who experience disabilities.
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October 03, 2017
Senator Hassan Highlights Importance of Fully Including Students who Experience Disabilities in Order to Improve Outcomes for All Students
WASHINGTON - In a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing today, Senator Hassan highlighted the more than 30 years of educational research showing that all students perform better when students who experience disabilities are fully included in the classroom, and asked how states should apply these insights in their plans under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
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September 28, 2017
Senators Shaheen, Hassan Announce More than $4 Million in Grants to Support Granite Staters Who Experience Disabilities
WASHINGTON - Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan today announced three grants that will help build a more inclusive New Hampshire by improving job opportunities and increasing and strengthening the quality of home and community-based services for Granite Staters who experience disabilities.
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September 26, 2017
Senator Hassan Calls for Return to Bipartisan Health Care Negotiations
WASHINGTON - Senator Maggie Hassan today joined her Senate Democratic colleagues at a press conference following the defeat of the latest Trumpcare bill to underscore the importance of returning to bipartisan negotiations on lowering health care costs and stabilizing the individual insurance market.
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September 26, 2017
Senator Hassan Joins Democratic Colleagues, Disability Rights Advocates to Highlight Harmful Impact Graham-Cassidy Trumpcare Proposal Would Have on Individuals Who Experience Disabilities
WASHINGTON -Senator Maggie Hassan joined her Democratic colleagues and disability rights advocates at a press conference today to highlight how the Graham-Cassidy Trumpcare bill would harm individuals who experience disabilities. Senator Hassan shared the story of Bodhi Bhattari, a Concord boy who experiences spinal muscular atrophy and needs hundreds of thousands of dollars in life-saving drugs every year. Bodhi’s mother, Deodonne Bhattarai, told WMUR that under the Graham-Cassidy Trumpcare proposal, "If we sold our house, we could probably keep him alive for another year."
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September 22, 2017
ICYMI: Senator Hassan Visits Child with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Underscores How Harmful Graham-Cassidy Trumpcare Bill Would Be
CONCORD - Yesterday, Senator Maggie Hassan visited with Bodhi Bhattarai of Concord, who experiences spinal muscular atrophy, and spoke with Bodhi’s parents about how devastating the Graham-Cassidy Trumpcare bill would be for children like Bodhi. Bodhi's mother, Deodonne Bhattarai, told WMUR that under Trumpcare, "If we sold our house, we could probably keep him alive for another year."
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September 21, 2017
Senator Hassan Meets Child with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Underscores Harmful Impact Graham-Cassidy Trumpcare Proposal Would Have on New Hampshire
CONCORD - Today, Senator Maggie Hassan visited with Bodhi Bhattarai of Concord, who experiences spinal muscular atrophy and needs hundreds of thousands of dollars in lifesaving drugs every year. Senator Hassan also spoke with Bodhi’s mother Deodonne Bhattarai -- who the Senator also saw at an emergency health care field hearing she and Senator Shaheen held in June -- about how the Graham-Cassidy health care proposal would be devastating for children like Bodhi.
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September 15, 2017
Senator Hassan Cosponsors STEM Opportunities Act to Improve Inclusion of Underrepresented Groups in STEM Fields
WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Maggie Hassan announced that she is cosponsoring the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Opportunities Act, legislation introduced by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) that would improve the inclusion of women, minorities, and people who experience disabilities in STEM careers.
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August 23, 2017
Senators Shaheen, Hassan Announce Professional Development Grants to Support Granite Staters Who Experience Disabilities
WASHINGTON - Today, Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) announced that the New Hampshire Department of Education has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to improve early interventions and education for students who experience disabilities. The New Hampshire Department of Education will receive $770,000.00, and the grant is anticipated to be for a total of five years. This grant program is authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to assist states in providing professional development to improve results for students who experience disabilities.
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July 26, 2017
Senator Hassan Delivers Remarks on Senate Floor in Support of Measure to Protect Health Care for Individuals with Disabilities
WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) spoke on the Senate floor in support of a measure authored by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) to protect health care and critical services for individuals with disabilities. Senator Hassan also highlighted the harmful impact that Republicans’ health care legislation would have on individuals with disabilities to live independently in their communities.
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July 26, 2017
On 27th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act, Senator Hassan Highlights Trumpcare’s Devastating Impact on Individuals with Disabilities
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July 13, 2017
The Hill: Senator Hassan Op-Ed: The importance of supporting caregivers
Seniors and people who experience disabilities thrive when they can stay in their own homes and communities - also helping our communities thrive and saving taxpayers’ money by avoiding more expensive care. But this is often only possible because of the hard work and sacrifices made by our nation’s direct support professionals, whose critically important work is not always recognized in their salaries, and family caregivers, who may have to leave behind other careers to care for a loved one.
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July 10, 2017
Senator Hassan Visits Granite State Independent Living, Discusses Harmful Impact Trumpcare Would Have on Individuals with Disabilities and Older Americans
CONCORD - Today, Senator Maggie Hassan visited Granite State Independent Living, a non-profit that provides a range of assisted-living services for Granite Staters, where she discussed the harmful impact that the Republican health care legislation, known as Trumpcare, would have on individuals with disabilities and older Americans.
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June 09, 2017
Senator Hassan Joins Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Protect Rights of Airplane Passengers who Experience Disabilities
WASHINGTON - Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Ed Markey (D-MA) yesterday in introducing the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act. The legislation would protect the rights of airplane passengers who experience disabilities and close service gaps that passengers with disabilities frequently encounter in air travel. Last year over 30,000 airplane passengers, including many veterans, filed disability-related complaints with airlines.
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June 06, 2017
Senator Hassan, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ease College Transition for Students with Disabilities
WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in introducing the bipartisan RISE Act in an effort to ease the burden of transitioning to college life for students who experience disabilities. The act amends the Higher Education Act (HEA) to clarify that documentation used in K-12 education and other settings to receive special education or accommodations would be acceptable as proof of a disability for students in higher education.
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May 25, 2017
Senator Hassan Highlights Devastating Impact Medicaid Cuts Would Have on Students with Disabilities & School Districts across New Hampshire
WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Maggie Hassan held a press call to highlight the devastating impact Medicaid cuts would have on students who experience disabilities and school districts across New Hampshire.
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May 05, 2017
At UNH Disability Rights Conference, Senator Hassan Highlights Negative Impact Trumpcare Would Have on Individuals with Disabilities
CONCORD - Today, Senator Maggie Hassan spoke at the University of New Hampshire's 5th Annual Self Advocacy Conference, where she discussed the harmful impact the American Health Care Act, also known as Trumpcare, would have on Granite Staters and Americans who experience disabilities, and hundreds of thousands of other Granite Staters.
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March 24, 2017
Senate Passes Resolution Sponsored by Senators Hassan, Casey, and Isakson Designating March 25 Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day
WASHINGTON - Yesterday, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution sponsored by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) designatingMarch 25, 2017, as "National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day."
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March 22, 2017
Senator Hassan Joins Colleagues, Advocates for Disability Community in Speaking Out Against Trumpcare
WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), former Senator Tom Harkin, members of the disability community, and advocates for a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol highlighting the devastating impact Trumpcare would have on Granite Staters and Americans who experience disabilities.
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March 22, 2017
Senator Hassan Statement on Most Important SCOTUS Decision for People with Disabilities in a Decade
WASHINGTON - Senator Maggie Hassan released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled 8-0 in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District, the most important Supreme Court decision for people with disabilities in a decade. The decision affirms that school districts must ensure that students who experience disabilities receive an education that is "appropriately ambitious" under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
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March 22, 2017
Senator Hassan Presses Secretary of Labor Nominee Alex Acosta on Workplace Safety and Protections for Workers who Experience Disabilities
WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Maggie Hassan participated in the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee confirmation hearing for Alex Acosta, President Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Labor.
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February 06, 2017
Senator Hassan Participates in Floor Debate in Opposition to Betsy DeVos’s Nomination
WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Maggie Hassan participated in the floor debate on Betsy DeVos's nomination, highlighting that Mrs. DeVos is completely unqualified and unprepared to serve as Secretary of Education.
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January 26, 2017
Senator Maggie Hassan: Betsy DeVos’ Letter on IDEA “Reinforces That She is Unfit to Serve as Secretary of Education”
WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Maggie Hassan released the following statement in response to the letter from Betsy DeVos, President Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Education, to Senator Isakson on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act:
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January 17, 2017
Under Questioning from Senator Hassan, Betsy DeVos Refuses to Commit to Enforcing the Law to Protect Students with Disabilities
WASHINGTON -- Today, during the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee confirmation hearing for President-elect Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Education, Betsy DeVos, Senator Maggie Hassan questioned Mrs. DeVos on her commitment to protecting students who experience disabilities.
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