Easter Seals
Easter Seals Urges the President to Keep the Promise of the ADA for All Americans
Following ADA Amendments Act of 2008's Bipartisan Passage by both the House and Senate
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed the Senate version of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, S. 3406, following the Senate's unanimous passage of the bill last week. Celebrating the bill's passage with strong bipartisan and bicameral support, Easter Seals -- along with other disability and business organizations alike -- is urging President Bush to sign the bill into law.
Easter Recipes
The legislation is now being sent to the president for his signature and advocates anticipate that he'll sign it prior to the end of the month.
"Easter Seals congratulates our Congressional leaders who helped pass the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. A bill passed with broad-based bipartisan support, it's intended to restore protections under the ADA, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities and providing millions of Americans the chance to participate fully in American life," said James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Easter Seals, welcoming news of the final vote.
The ADA Amendments Act of 2008
When President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 into law, the legislation was intended to create a level playing field so people with disabilities can be judged by what they can do, rather than being limited by another person's perception of what they cannot do.
The ADA Amendments Act restores significant rights and protections to people with disabilities under the ADA. It addresses a number of the issues that have been of concern to Easter Seals and the disability community since Supreme Court decisions of the late 1990s narrowed the focus of who can be considered "a person with a disability" under the current ADA, effectively shutting out a variety of people with disabilities, including those with epilepsy, diabetes, cancer and other conditions from the ADA's protection. This important legislation will give qualified individuals with disabilities the tools they need to fight discrimination in the workplace.
"Nearly 20 years ago, Congress made a major contribution to the lives of people with disabilities by enacting the landmark ADA, helping to fulfill Easter Seals mission to ensure that people living with autism and other disabilities have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play," added Williams. "And now, we urge the president to take quick action by signing this legislation into law."
Easter Seals has been active within the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, the lead disability coalition for ADA restoration legislation, and the ADA Alliance, the new coalition formed by business and disability interests to pass this bill.
About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For nearly 90 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at http://www.easterseals.com/
posted by Bill Austin at Cyber Media Journal
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