Story by Carson Sayler, New Prague and Saja Saad, Lakeville; Edited by Lale Akkin, Mounds View; Image by Nicholas Anderson, Irondale
For the first time in this year’s conference, a bill passed through the Supreme Court unanimously on January 5th, meaning 100 out of the 100 delegates voted in favor of this bill. This is an extremely rare and a huge accomplishment to Everett Parker from the Eagan Delegation.
The purpose of Parker’s bill is to “require additional intellectual disability support upon existing diversity equity and inclusion policies for training in the workplace.” The hiring process will list disabilities on applications, and also a section to request accommodations for quick communication. At least twice a year, consultants will evaluate the business to make sure workers with accommodations are treated respectfully and have what they need to be successful in the workplace.
Parker explains his feelings for the unanimous passing, “I am very, very, very happy. A bit speechless. It is a moment I will never ever forget.” While the bill passed without any opposition, “it wasn’t an isolated problem, it really showed that this is a problem for many people.” The bill passing was very emotional to Parker. “As an Autistic person myself, it gives me hope, strength and confidence, and I am super grateful and blessed,” he says. At first, Parker was nervous in committee because his bill was amended twice to clarify some things, but once the bill reached the house “everyone who picked up that microphone said how great my bill was.” Once Parker’s bill passed, he received a standing ovation. Parker explains, “It isn’t about me, it’s about every person who feels like their voice is being diminished by their disability. They need to know that this bill is there for them and they have a voice.”
Amy Watters from the Statewide Delegation states that Parker’s bill was very important to her, and when the bill passed, “I started crying. I am actually really good friends from his delegation and afterwards, he talked to me about how hard he has worked on this bill and really really cared about it. I think this is what YIG is about, having people who are so passionate on topics they care about that may not be heard in other aspects of government. I thought this was very powerful and emotional and honestly one of my favorite moments at YIG,” she says.
Ellen Schroeder from the Central Delegation states how she was super moved by Parker’s bill. Schroeder says, “he put so much emotion into his bill and was really good at communicating to everyone in the room and expressing how the bill was personal to him. It was so sweet to see everyone in the entire room vote and clap for the bill at the end.”
Parker hopes to bring this bill up to a representative to push it further and get more recognition. If you would like to read more about Parker’s bill, it is bill number 5417 in the Sanford house. Congrats Everett Parker!