(Yes, I missed posting when the House bill passed.)
Re-posted from Adawatch.org e-newsletter:
NEWS RELEASE
September 25, 2008
ADA
Watch and the National Coalition for Disability Rights Praises
Advocates and Policymakers As President Bush Signs ADA Amendments Act
into Law
(Washington, DC)
For nearly two years, disability rights advocates have traveled the
Nation in a modified bus educating citizens and policymakers alike of
the pressing need to restore vital civil rights protections of the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Today, President Bush signed the ADA Amendments Act into law and ADA Watch and the National Coalition for Disability Rights, the nonprofit organizations behind the Road To Freedom bus tour, praised all of those involved in this successful campaign to advance disability rights.
In
recent years, the ADA - the world's first human rights law for people
with disabilities - has been dramatically narrowed in the courts
leaving citizens with epilepsy, diabetes, mental illness, HIV-AIDS and
other disabilities unprotected from discrimination. The ADA Amendments Act
clarifies the intent of Congress and reverses the "judicial activism"
that has resulted in more than 95% of employment-related ADA cases
being dismissed on summary judgment.
Senator
Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), lead sponsor of the ADA Amendments Act,
acknowledged ADA Watch/NCDR's role in passage of this legislation on
the floor of the Senate, thanking the Road To Freedom's crew
for "dedicating almost 2 years of their lives traveling on a bus around
the country to every State, showing people about the importance of
restoring the protections of ADA."
ADA
Watch/NCDR founder and president, Jim Ward stated today, "This is a
monumental victory for people with disabilities. As America seeks to
respond to the economic challenges we face, this law - if enforced -
will ensure that people with disabilities are fairly included in the
workforce and that we can do our jobs free from discrimination."
"ADA Watch and the National Coalition for Disability Rights praises the thousands of Americans who produced and participated in Road To Freedom
bus stops as, together, we called for restoration of the ADA. Likewise,
we praise the tireless efforts of advocates such as Andy Imparato,
Sandy Finucane, Curt Decker, Chai Feldblum, Jennifer Mathis, Arlene
Mayerson, Shereen Arent, Donna Meltzer, Nancy Zirkin, Michael Collins,
Yoshiko Dart, Tom Olin, Debbie Fletter Ward and so many others."
ADA Watch and the National Coalition for Disability Rights (NCDR)
is a coalition of national, state and local disability, civil rights
and social justice organizations united to protect and promote the
human rights of children and adults with physical and mental
disabilities. For more information, go to www.adawatch.org and www.roadtofreedom.org
