8/17/2018 Recent Amendment to the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Its Effects on the DisabledRead Now At the beginning of this year, Congress passed legislation that would alter the Americans with Disabilities Act, despite strong resistance from disability rights activists and advocates. In fact, this change was so strongly opposed that before the vote took place, people with disabilities demonstrated inside the Capitol against the bill. Tensions were high as those with and without disabilities sought to protect the integrity of this act; some protesters were even arrested. Not only were protesters opposing this bill, but also lawmakers. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), the chairwoman of the House Republican Conference and the mother of a son with Down Syndrome, said, “The ADA was enacted more than 25 years ago to protect the disability community, and as part of that community, I could not in good conscience vote for this bill”. However, despite protests and resistance from both parties, the bill was ultimately passed.
Now, with such a change on the horizon, the question remains: How will this affect those with disabilities, and their caretakers? Well, many advocates say this change in policy will greatly and widely affect those under the protection of this act. According to the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, this bill will be “exceptionally harmful”. They went so far as to publish on their website that it “[…] would turn people with disabilities into second-class citizens, and its priorities are profoundly skewed”. They continue on to say that it “[…] goes against the very principles of an inclusive society that America is all about”. Under the bill, those wishing to sue businesses in federal court over an ADA public-accommodations violation must first deliver a written notice to that business detailing the illegal barrier to access. They must then give that business 60 days to come up with a plan to address the complaint(s), and an additional 60 days to take action. Thus, the need/desire for more accessibility becomes a tiresome and detailed battle. The amendment can and will gut the ADA’s provisions dealing with public accommodations, by removing any incentive that businesses have to comply with the law before a complaint is filed. This means that rather than helping to forward the cause for a more accessible world, it instead allows buildings/companies to avoid accommodating those who are disabled. It forces those with disabilities to come face to face with discrimination or obstacles in the workforce, and even in day to day life. Rather than helping more public places make proper accommodations for those who need it, it allows them to avoid these needs until pressed about the lack of accommodations. This means that those who are disabled, and in need of more accessible public spaces will have to go through lengthy petitions, court hearings, and even lawsuits in order to have the same opportunities and lifestyle of those not disabled. No matter what way one cuts it, this bill undermines the very purpose of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and instead promotes a philosophy of profit over people. This bill shows that the fight for equality for those disabled is far from over, and that we as a country and people, have much more to accomplish. Article Written by Elizabeth Stennett Sources: -Washington Post -Multiple Sclerosis News Today |