American Disabilities Act allows for productivity

Published 06:00 a.m., December 22, 2007

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed with overwhelming majorities in both houses of Congress. Its premise was that people with disabilities want to work and be productive and integrated members of their communities, and that they have not had an equal opportunity to do so. It was intended to end unjust discrimination based on disability. When President George H. W. Bush signed the ADA in 1990, he said, “Every man, woman, and child with a disability can now pass through once-closed doors into a bright new era of equality, independence, and freedom.” I had the opportunity to be present at the signing of this law, and it means a great deal to me as a person with a disability.

Unfortunately, 17 years later, people with disabilities are still being judged unfairly, often being kept from the promise of earning a living for themselves and their families because of unfair discrimination. Instead of protecting people with disabilities, our courts have created a no–win situation, refusing to protect many whom Congress clearly wanted covered by the ADA. Employers have been allowed to say a person is “too disabled” to do the job but not “disabled enough” to be protected by the law. The facts are that people with disabilities are two-and-a-half times more likely to live in poverty, and have an employment rate of only 35% nationally. This should be unacceptable in a society that believes all people are created equal. We cannot afford to leave a large percentage of our population behind.

The ADA Restoration Act (H.R.3195 / S.1881) would restore the original intent of the ADA, and allow people with disabilities to be judged based on performance – just like women, minorities, and the rest of the American workforce. The ADA Restoration Act has strong bipartisan support in the US House and was introduced recently in the US Senate. I would like to thank the several MN Representatives, including Collin Peterson and James Oberstar, for co-sponsoring this bill.

It is time to keep the promise of the ADA for all people with disabilities. Congress can help by passing the ADA Restoration Act. Please join me in urging Senators Coleman and Klobuchar to support S. 1881, and allow the ADA to reclaim its place among our nation’s most honorable civil rights laws.

Nate Aalgaard, director

Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc.

Fargo, N.D.

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