State Department Disability Policy and Accommodations Act
Sponsored By: Representative Titus
Introduced
Summary
Elevates disability rights in U.S. foreign policy. This bill would create an Office of International Disability Rights and push diplomacy, foreign assistance, missions, and training to center disability inclusion and accessibility.
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- Would require a formal Department-wide disability rights policy and an international disability rights strategy with country action plans and annual public reporting on progress and spending.
- Would require accessible hiring, equitable overseas assignments, and facility and communications accessibility across embassies and consulates, plus centralized funding for accommodations and mandatory disability training for civil and foreign service personnel and chiefs of mission.
- Would create a Judy Heumann Foreign Service Disability Fellowship to build expertise with 6–12 month placements, reimbursements for travel, and partnerships with organizations of persons with disabilities.
*Authorizes appropriations including $6.0 million annually for fiscal years 2026–2030 and additional funding for the fellowship, which increases federal spending.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Create State Dept disability office
If enacted, the State Department would create an Office of International Disability Rights led by an Ambassador-at-Large with Senate approval. The Secretary would adopt a formal disability policy within 180 days and update the Foreign Affairs Manual. The Department would produce a full International Disability Rights strategy within one year and report to Congress annually. The bill would authorize $6,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 and "such sums as may be necessary" beginning in FY2026. The Department would also require disability training for all civil and Foreign Service staff and chiefs of mission.
Equal hiring and accessibility at State
If enacted, the Under Secretary for Management would have to ensure equal access to hiring, recruitment, overseas assignments, and family support for State Department staff with disabilities. The Department would be required to follow Section 503 and applicable ADA standards and to consult the Labor Department and Justice Department on contractor and hiring compliance. Local staff accommodations would be offered and funded from a central reasonable accommodation fund, including for security-related injuries. Diplomatic residences, websites, and communications would need to meet adaptable and accessible standards.
Judy Heumann State Department Fellowship
If enacted, the State Department would run the Judy Heumann Foreign Service Disability Fellowship. The Secretary would select at least two fellows each year for placements lasting six to twelve months. Fellows would be placed with disability-focused organizations, study the UN disability treaty, and attend the Conference of States Parties. Each fellow would get one international and one domestic trip reimbursed. The Department would report on fellowship outcomes starting within one year after the first cohort finishes and annually thereafter.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Titus
NV • D
Cosponsors
Olszewski
MD • D
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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