Are people with autism “disabled enough” for the ADA?
by Katy
An article on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at govtech.com points out the confusion about who is “disabled enough” to qualify for ADA rights and why the ADA needs restoration.
The article reports millions of citizens have been left vulnerable to a narrow interpretation of the law, and that people with other disorders and disabilities such as autism, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy and those who use hearing aids may not be “disabled enough” to be protected under the ADA.
“The Supreme Court’s interpretation has created a vicious circle for Americans with disabilities,” said Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R – WI), cosponsor of the ADA Restoration Act of 2007. “It has created a broad range of people who benefit from ‘mitigating measures’ such as improvements in medicine, who still experience discrimination from employers, yet have been labeled ‘not disabled enough’ to gain the protections of the ADA. This is unacceptable.”
Easter Seals is encouraging lawmakers to pass the ADA Restoration Act, which will help restore the basic rights of people with disabilities.
At last count, 181 members of the House of Representatives had cosponsored the ADA Restoration Act, just shy of the 218 needed for a majority vote.
Although members of Congress are on recess, they will be back on Capitol Hill next week. But you can contact them now!
Locate your local representative and check to see if that representative is a co-sponsor. Then, find out who your senators are and see if your senators are cosponsors too.
Visit their websites for contact information to local offices, and then call, fax, email, or SHOW UP at their door.
If your representatives are among the cosponsors, thank them. If they are not cosponsors yet, urge them to support the ADA Restoration Act of 2007.