NCD #05-483
April 5, 2005
Contact: Mark S. Quigley
202-272-2004
202-272-2074 TTY
mquigley@ncd.gov

National Council on Disability to Conduct Houston Americans with Disabilities Impact Forum

WASHINGTON--The National Council on Disability (NCD) is sponsoring five public forums around the country to gather testimony from people with disabilities, their families, and their advocates on the impact the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 has had on their lives. This third forum will be held on April 8, 2005, from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the City of Houston Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 West Gray, Houston, Texas.

Fifteen years ago, the ADA was hailed as a major civil rights law guaranteeing equal opportunity for Americans with disabilities to participate more fully in their communities, to have greater access to goods and services, and to enjoy more employment opportunities. Testimony is sought regarding the extent to which the ADA has achieved its goals of equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities.

This forum is being co-sponsored by Independent Living Research Utilization Project.

AGENDA

8:00 a.m. Opening Remarks

Public Testimony:

8:30–9:30 a.m. Telecommunications: Has the ADA had an impact on the ability of people who have hearing and/or speech impairments to communicate by telephone?

9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Employment: Has the ADA improved employment opportunities and job retention for people with disabilities?

1:30–3:00 p.m. Public Services: Are goods and services provided by local and state agencies more accessible to people with disabilities because of the ADA?

3:00–4:30 p.m. Public Accommodations Operated by Private Entities: Are goods and services provided by businesses more accessible to people with disabilities because of the ADA?

4:30–5:30 p.m. General comments on the ADA

NCD will present its findings and recommendations to the President and Congress on July 26, 2005—the 15th anniversary of the ADA.

For more information, contact Mark Quigley at 202-272-2004 or Tajuana Dunning, Independent Living Research Utilization Project, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research at 713-520-0232, ext. 112.

Note: NCD is an independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress to enhance the quality of life for all Americans with disabilities and their families. In 1986, NCD first proposed and then drafted the original ADA.