eNews
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the DREDF eNews. Our goal is to provide timely and useful information on disability rights topics that are important to you.
The October eNews is devoted to legislation that will restore important civil rights for people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You will find links to the DREDF website for FAQs about the ADA Restoration Act of 2007, talking points and analysis, and information about an upcoming Congressional hearing. The Related Articles & Resources link to the right will take you to background information on the ADA. We hope this information on the ADA Restoration Act answers your questions and inspires you to urge your Congressional representatives to support the ADA Restoration Act of 2007.
Restoring the Americans with Disabilities Act
News, Resources, What You Can Do
In a series of cases in the past few years, the US Supreme Court has severely narrowed the definition of disability. This means that people with disabilities such as diabetes, epilepsy, mental illness, breast cancer, carpal tunnel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and amputations are not protected from employment discrimination under the ADA.
The ADA Restoration Act of 2007 was introduced to address the injustice faced by many Americans, including Charles Littleton, a 29-year old Alabama high school graduate with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mr. Littleton was not permitted to bring his job coach with him to an interview for a job as a cart-pusher at Wal-Mart, and subsequently did not get the job. James Todd, a Texas man with epilepsy, lost his job at a sporting goods store several months after he had his first seizure at work. Courts found that neither man qualified for protection by the ADA. Read their stories.
The ADA Restoration Act of 2007 Introduced
On July 26, 2007, the 17th Anniversary of the ADA, Congressmen Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) and James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wisconsin), and Senators Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania) introduced the ADA Restoration Act of 2007. [House Bill (HR 3195) and Senate Bill (S 1881)] The proposed legislation will restore the ADA and ensure that people with disabilities have access to legal remedies if they are discriminated against when they seek employment or are at work.
ADA Restoration Hearing Scheduled in House Judiciary Committee.
The Judiciary Committee of the US House of Representatives will be conducting the first hearing on the ADA Restoration Act on Thursday, October 4. Show your support for the proposed bill by attending the hearing if you can or participate via a live webcast.
Here are the details:
Date: Thursday 10/04/2007
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: 2141 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC
Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties
Hearing on H.R. 3195, the "ADA Restoration Act of 2007"
Webcast: Information about the webcast is also available on the House Judiciary Committee website at: http://judiciary.house.gov/schedule.aspx (click on October 4).
Resources on the ADA Restoration Act
What can you do?
Ask your Representative and Senators to Co-Sponsor the ADA Restoration Act! Please write your Senators to co-sponsor S. 1881 and your Representatives to co-sponsor HR 3195.
As of September 27 there were 203 cosponsors on HR 3195.
Copyright 2007
