| |
News Release
NCD #04-471
December 1, 2004
Contact: Mark S. Quigley
202-272-2004
202-272-2074 TTY
mquigley@ncd.gov
National Council on Disability Calls for Changes
to Americans with Disabilities Act
WASHINGTON—The National Council on Disability
(NCD) today called on the Administration and Congress to support
legislation that will “right” the course of the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) and protect the civil rights of people
with disabilities.
Over the past two years, NCD conducted an in-depth
analysis of the Supreme Court’s interpretations of the ADA.
NCD has determined that, while some of the Court’s decisions
have clearly liberated people with disabilities, e.g., Tennessee
v. Lane, Martin v. PGA Tours, and Olmstead v. L.C., several of the
Court’s rulings involving the ADA depart from the core principles
and objectives of the ADA. NCD’s report Righting the ADA,
which was released today, provides an analysis of the problematic
rulings, describes the resulting impact on people with disabilities,
and offers legislative proposals designed to restore the ADA to
its original intent.
According to NCD Chairperson Lex Frieden, “The
purpose of the ADA was ‘to provide a clear and comprehensive
national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals
with disabilities.’ The provisions of the ADA addressing architectural,
transportation, and communication accessibility have changed the
face of American society in numerous concrete ways, enhancing the
independence, full participation, inclusion, and equality of opportunity
for Americans with disabilities. However, the provisions of the
ADA that have been narrowed by Court rulings currently do not provide
the same scope of opportunities and protections expressed by those
involved in the creation and passage of the ADA. Legislation is
urgently needed to restore the ADA to ‘assure equality of
opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic
self-sufficiency’ for Americans with disabilities.”
NCD is charged with gathering information about the
implementation, effectiveness, and impact of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA).
For more information, contact Mark Quigley or Julie
Carroll at 202-272-2004 or 202-272-2074 TTY.
|
