Americans With Disabilities Act

Americans With Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. Barriers to employment, transportation, public accommodations, public services, and telecommunications have imposed staggering economic and social costs on American society.  The ADA guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, State and local government services, and telecommunications.

Cry Wolf Quotes

The House of Representatives has “chosen to put the unreasonable damage awards and attorney’s fees above the needs of employers and employees.”

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Nancy R. Fulco, a lawyer for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, The New York Times.

If our bureaucrats in Washington, our regulators—maybe that’s a better word—write the regulations too stringently and too tough, there are aspects of this bill that could make it very difficult for the free enterprise system.

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Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), The New York Times.

Rather than merely prohibiting discrimination against the disabled, the bill compels employers to make significant expenditures and extensive physical alterations to their facilities to accommodate an unlimited variety job applicants.

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Gordon J. Humphrey (R-NH), The New York Times.

This is going to be a lawyer’s paradise.

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Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC), New York Times.

Evidence

Backgrounders & Briefs

Good Rules: Ten Stories Of Successful Regulation

Demos looks at ten laws and rules that we take for granted.

Resources

The American Association of People with Disabilities organizes and advocates for the disability community across the nation.