Advocates Praised as Bush Signs Bill to Restore ADA

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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

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