State Department Disability Policy and Accommodations Act
Sponsored By: Senator Timothy Kaine
Introduced
Summary
Centers disability rights in U.S. diplomacy by creating a formal policy and a dedicated Office of International Disability Rights to push accessibility, inclusion, and targeted foreign assistance.
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- People with disabilities worldwide get clearer U.S. attention in diplomacy and aid through a required International Disability Rights Strategy, country action plans, and annual reporting on program and spending results.
- State Department employees and applicants with disabilities gain stronger hiring, placement, and accommodation protections, including a centralized reasonable accommodation fund and requirements for accessible hiring and assignments.
- U.S. missions, embassies, and leased facilities overseas must meet U.S. Access Board standards for physical sites, websites, and communications, and apply contractor hiring rules to expand local employment of people with disabilities.
- Disability advocates and practitioners get a permanent home in the Office of International Disability Rights, an Ambassador-at-Large, and the Judy Heumann Foreign Service Disability Fellowship with at least two fellows selected each year to build diplomacy expertise.
*Authorizes at least $6.0 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030 to support these State Department disability initiatives, increasing federal spending for those programs.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New U.S. disability diplomacy office
If enacted, the bill would create and staff an Office of International Disability Rights led by an Ambassador-at-Large appointed by the President with Senate confirmation. The Secretary of State would be required to publish a formal disability diplomacy policy within 180 days and an International Disability Rights Strategy within one year. The office would coordinate disability policy across U.S. agencies, set up staff rotations, and collect and report disaggregated spending and program data to Congress each year. The Secretary would also provide an initial briefing and report to the Senate and House foreign affairs committees within 180 days and annual updates thereafter.
Equal hiring and central accommodation fund
If enacted, the Under Secretary for Management would be required to ensure equal access to hiring, placement, and overseas assignments for State Department civil and foreign service staff, locally employed staff with disabilities, and family members with chronic conditions. The Department must consult the Justice Department to meet ADA and Rehabilitation Act rules and must fund reasonable accommodations for locally employed staff from a centralized accommodation fund. The policy would remain consistent with veterans' preference while encouraging recruitment of people with disabilities.
Funding and fellowship for disability diplomacy
If enacted, the bill would authorize annual funding to carry out the Act beginning in fiscal year 2026 and would specifically authorize $6,000,000 to be appropriated to the State Department for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The bill would also establish the Judy Heumann Foreign Service Disability Fellowship and require the Secretary to select at least two fellows each year for 6–12 month placements. Fellows would have performance goals, study the U.N. disability convention, attend the Conference of States Parties, and receive reimbursement for one international and one domestic trip.
More accessible U.S. embassies and websites
If enacted, the Under Secretary for Management would be required to ensure U.S. embassies, consulates, leased facilities, and diplomatic residences meet United States Access Board standards and adaptable residence standards. The bill would require embassy websites and communications to be accessible and require reasonable accommodations for program participants. It would also encourage contracting with local firms that meet affirmative-hiring rules under section 503 and require coordination with the Department of Labor on contractor compliance with disability laws.
Disability training for State staff
If enacted, the Secretary of State would require online or in-person disability policy training for all civil service and Foreign Service personnel and chiefs of mission. Training would cover ADA and Rehabilitation Act compliance, legal and program analysis, working with local disability-led organizations, and including disability needs in humanitarian responses. The bill would also add country-specific instruction for Foreign Service officers on disability risks, local laws, and culturally specific programming.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Timothy Kaine
VA • D
Cosponsors
Tammy Duckworth
IL • D
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Jeanne Shaheen
NH • D
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Jacky Rosen
NV • D
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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