U.S. Senate Holds Field Hearing on the Status and Well-being of People with Intellectual Disabilities Senator Tom Harkin presided over the U.S. Senate field hearing held 1 July 2006 in Ames, Iowa. The United States Senate Appropriations Committee's Labor/HHS/Education Subcommittee held a field hearing on 1 July 2006 in Benton Auditorium on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa (USA). Held in conjunction with the 2006 Special Olympics USA National Games, the hearing, "Crossing the Line: A Better Future for People with Intellectual Disabilities," dealt with the status and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities. U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) chaired the hearing; his roles as the Subcommittee’s Ranking Member lent enormous credibility to the issues of health and educational needs of people with intellectual disabilities. Witnesses at the Field Hearing said that challenges for those with intellectual disabilities today include finding adequate medical care, finding work and working while continuing to receive disability benefits. "This is a population that despite the advances in law remains overlooked and underserved," said Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics Chairman of the Board. Witnesses at the hearing called upon leaders from the government and private sector, including family members and Special Olympics athletes, to address policy issues that advance or impede opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities in the United States and around the world. At the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Alaska, the U.S. Senate also held a hearing. Today, five years after that 2001 Hearing, there are still barriers to full inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities and this population still does not get the justice and dignity it deserves. Witnesses said that challenges for those with intellectual disabilities today include finding adequate medical care, finding work and working while continuing to receive disability benefits. Julie Gerberding, Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Special Olympics athletes and others with intellectual disabilities suffer disproportionately from obesity, poor nutrition and many other health conditions that go unrecognized and untreated. Gerberding and Dr. Antonia Novello, former U.S. Surgeon General and current Commissioner of the New York State Health Department, both said the federal government needs to do more to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities have adequate health care. Special Olympics athlete Kyler Prunty said he would like to work more hours at his job as a bellman at Best Western, but if he works too many hours, it creates problems with his disability benefits. "I just want to work and be alive," said Prunty, 19. "If I work too much, I lose my benefits, but if I work too little, I can't pay for my car that I need to get to work." Senator Harkin said he will introduce legislation in the Senate that will focus on the health of people with disabilities, with a special emphasis on wellness and disease prevention. Senator Harkin is an Honorary Chair of the 2006 Special Olympics USA National Games and has been a leading voice in the U.S. Senate on behalf of people with intellectual and other disabilities. He authored the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, the landmark legislation that protects the civil rights of more than 54 million Americans with disabilities., and was instrumental in securing US$4 million in federal support for the 2006 USA National Games.      < Return to main USA National Games page >