From the NCIL Weekly Advocacy Monitor: Volume 6, Issue 22, June 9, 2008
Over the past few months, NCIL Executive Director John Lancaster has had the opportunity to work with his colleagues from over 100 disability organizations to help negotiate a deal to restore the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). NCIL governance, working closely with the NCIL ADA/Civil Rights Subcommittee, agreed to move ahead with the business community and Congressional leaders to reach agreement on legislative language that will restore anti-discrimination provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, reversing several Supreme Court rulings that had eroded these civil rights protections.
NCIL and the below-listed disability organizations that support the deal are currently working with Members of Congress and their staff to introduce the negotiated deal language in both the House and Senate. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), an original sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, plans to fast track the bill through the House and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), an original cosponsor of the ADA of 1990, will work with the disability and business communities to move this deal, hopefully, a House-passed bill, through the Senate for passage. We will need the full force of our grassroots advocates contacting Members of Congress in support of the ADA Restoration Act Negotiated Deal. Stay tuned for NCIL Action Alerts in the coming days with talking points and Congressional contact information, supporting the Negotiated Deal.
AAPD is compiling a list of organizations that are supportive of the deal, meaning that they support not only the drafted legislative language but also the negotiation's terms, which mean that we'll defend this language against any amendments that Members of Congress attempt to add that may make it better for either side - unless, of course, both sides agree to the amendments. We urge your organization to sign on as well.
These organizations that have indicated their support for the proposed ADA Restoration deal with the business community. If your local, state, or national organization would like to add its name in support of the deal, please send an email to JFA Moderator Anne Sommers at aapdanne@earthlink.net indicating your support.
Background: A handful of disability community and business community negotiators have reached a proposed “deal.” Both communities are now vetting this deal with their constituencies.
The NCIL ADA/Civil Rights Subcommittee and Executive Committee studied and support the proposed negotiated deal language.
Please use the following links to learn more about the ADA Restoration Act Negotiated Deal:
For more information, please contact NCIL Policy Analyst Deb Cotter by email, deb@ncil.org with “ADA Restoration Comments” in the subject line, phone (202) 207-0334, or fax (202) 207-0431.
Current Signatories to ADA Restoration Proposed Deal (as of June 2, 2008):
AARP
AARP Foundation
American Association of People with Disabilities
American Council of the Blind
American Diabetes Association
American Foundation for the Blind
American Psychological Association
APSE: The Network on Employment
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Brain Injury Association of America
Council for Learning Disabilities
Easter Seals
Epilepsy Foundation
Hearing Loss Association of America
Learning Disabilities Association of America
Mental Health America!
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Association of Community Health Charities
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
National Center for Learning Disabilities
National Council on Independent Living
National Disability Rights Network
National Health Council
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Spinal Cord Injury Association
Paralyzed Veterans of America
The ARC of the United States
United Cerebral Palsy
United Spinal Association