9/14: Vote NO on ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017
To amend the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 to promote compliance through education, to clarify the requirements for demand letters, to provide for a notice and cure period before the commencement of a private civil action, and for other purposes.
SUGGESTED MEMBER SCRIPT
“Hi, my name is …, I’m a constituent from “i.e., Durango” zip code 81***. I am OPPOSED to 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
- Representative Scott Tipton (he is now a co-sponsor of the Bill)
(970) 259-1490 (Durango) (202) 225-4761 (DC Office)
https://tipton.house.gov/contact-me
- Senator Michael Bennet
(970) 259-1710 (Durango) (202) 224-5852 (DC Office)
www.bennet.senate.gov
- Senator Cory Gardner
(970) 415-7416 (Durango) (202) 224-5941 (DC Office)
http://www.gardner.senate.gov
WHEN IS MEMBER TO CALL OR WRITE
Immediately
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT
This ADA notification bill threatens the civil rights that people with disabilities were guaranteed 27 years ago. It appears to be very misunderstood by the people in Congress.
While it appears to address ADA accessibility issues, it does not. Nor does it address the drive-by lawsuit issues, because what you can sue for is dictated by the states, not the federal government. The man from Florida who came to Colorado with several lawsuits in several communities including Durango came here because the State of Colorado allows that type of lawsuit. The Bill does not address this issue but penalizes those with legitimate accessibility complaints.
It puts the blame on the ADA and people with disabilities, instead of on those attorneys who help people win big money rather than enforcing compliance with the ADA.
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.
Thank you,
Martha Mason, Executive Director
Southwest Center for Independence
970-903-5848
www.swindependence.org
Civil Rights Committee