14Feb

2/14: American Disabilities Act Is Under Attack-House Vote Thursday

HOUSE BILL #620:  (so called)  ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017  VOTE NO;  if passed, it will go to the Senate
BACKGROUND:  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is once again under attack.  The ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 620) is scheduled for a vote in the House on this Thursday.  We need you to tell your Representative and Senators to vote NO for this bill. This bill would eliminate the responsibility of businesses to address their obligations under the ADA and puts up major barriers to people enforcing their ADA rights.

SUGGESTED MEMBER SCRIPT:

“Hi, my name is …, I’m a constituent from “i.e., Durango” zip code 81***.   I am OPPOSEDto House Bill #620.  This bill threatens the civil rights that people with disabilities were guaranteed 27 years ago.  This bill does not address the drive-by-lawsuit issue since what you can sue for is dictated by the states, not the federal government.  Instead, it weakens the ability of people with disabilities who have legitimate claims for non-compliance of ADA laws.”

WHO MEMBER IS TO CONTACT :      US House & Senate

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT :

It requires complainants (legitimate people with disabilities) to go through several time consuming steps and waiting periods. The owner/operator of the business only has to outline improvements that “will be made.”  The ADA already requires them to make appropriate upgrades & does not change that requirement, but allows the owner to delay the improvements.

The other major issue around this bill is that it creates a waiting list for guaranteed civil rights. No other class of people has to wait a specific formal time frame before receiving the rights that were written into law 27 years ago.