The House of Representatives is planning to vote on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Education and Reform Act (H.R. 620). This bill looks harmless on its face, but in reality it would create significant obstacles for people with disabilities to enforce their rights.
H.R. 620 is an insidious attempt to roll back essential civil rights and sets a dangerous precedent. The stated intent of this legislation is to stop fraudulent lawsuits, but in reality, it will create additional barriers for people with disabilities who seek to have their rights enforced under the ADA. It would segregate the disability community, making it the only protected class under civil rights law that must rely on “education” — rather than strong enforcement — to guarantee access to public spaces. And it will limit the places people with disabilities will have access to, further marginalizing and alienating them.
Act now. Tell your representative to vote NO on the Americans with Disabilities Act Education and Reform Act.
The United Church of Christ was part of a diverse coalition of advocacy partners that worked for passage of the ADA in 1990. This commitment is born out of our faith understanding that all persons are created in the image of God, and should be treated with justice, respect and equality under the law. As a denomination that is committed to living out its identity as an Accessible 2 All church, we are called to oppose any efforts to rollback or restrict provisions of the ADA, which represent a threat to civil rights everywhere.
Time is of the essence. Act now! Call on Congress to maintain the integrity of the ADA and protect the rights of people living with disabilities.