I got this text from the Loudon County Special Ed advisory group. This bill affects those dealing with disability in every state in the US.
Potentially as soon as next week (posted last Friday, so THIS week) the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on legislation to significantly weaken the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), our nation's foremost civil rights law for persons with disabilities.
If enacted, H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act, would establish a 180-day waiting period before a person with a disability could enforce their rights to gain access to businesses, social services agencies, educational institutions, or other covered entities. This legislation also puts the responsibility on the person with the disability to educate the entity not in compliance with the ADA about their infraction(s). Consequently, this legislation would limit the influence of the ADA and reduce compliance with the law, as it currently exists.
Psychological research has strongly demonstrated the pervasive nature of stigma associated with disabilities and the adverse mental health effects of such discrimination. The American Psychological Association (APA), where I worked in executive leadership for many years, has been a proponent of the ADA since its passage in 1990.
APA, along with numerous other organizations, stands firmly opposed to this rollback of civil rights protections for the millions of individuals with disabilities in our nation. Congress should be using its resources to ensure people with disabilities have full access to the community through the strong enforcement of the ADA, and not considering restricting their civil rights or adding to their burdens when they wish to fully participate in their communities.
Personally, I urge you to please ask your U.S. Representative to vote NO on H.R. 620, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Education and Reform Act so we can protect students wtih disabilities.
-Carol Williams-Nickelson, PsyD