Melwood is proud to support the Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act, legislation introduced by Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) and Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.) that would help small businesses offset the costs of workplace accommodations for employees with disabilities. The bill would update a federal tax credit that has not kept pace with the needs of today’s workforce, helping employers access a broader talent pool while creating more pathways to employment.
The Disabled Access Credit was originally established to help small businesses improve accessibility and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While the credit has helped organizations make important accessibility improvements, it has not kept pace with the needs of today’s workforce. The proposed legislation would modernize the credit by making reasonable accommodations eligible expenses, helping employers offset costs associated with creating accessible and inclusive workplaces.
People with disabilities remain significantly underrepresented in the workforce, despite bringing valuable skills, perspectives, and problem-solving abilities to employers. Small businesses often cite concerns about accommodation costs as a barrier to hiring and retaining workers with disabilities. By expanding access to the Disabled Access Credit, this legislation would help remove those barriers and create more opportunities for people with disabilities to participate fully in the workforce.
“People with disabilities represent one of our nation’s most underutilized talent pools, but for too long outdated policies have stood in the way of opportunity,” said Larysa Kautz, president and CEO of Melwood. “That is why Melwood is proud to support the Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act, which offers a meaningful step toward removing barriers to employment and creating more inclusive workplaces that benefit all of us. By helping small businesses provide reasonable accommodations, this legislation opens more pathways to economic independence for people with disabilities who are ready to work, contribute, and strengthen our nation’s workforce.”
At Melwood, we believe that employment is a pathway to independence, purpose, and economic mobility. The Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act is a practical, bipartisan solution that helps businesses access a broader talent pool while advancing workplace inclusion. We urge Congress to pass this important legislation and expand opportunities for workers with disabilities nationwide.
