A Step in the Right Direction

Yesterday, the US Senate took critical action for people with disabilities by voting in favor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Restoration Act. I applaud United Spinal Association’s Public Policy staff, who helped organize veterans and other disability-rights organizations and advocated to knock down yet another barrier to equality for people with disabilities.

The ADA Restoration Act restores employment-related civil rights to people with disabilities and helps to ensure that employees do not encounter discrimination on the basis of disability.

If you’re not disabled, why should you care? Well, there are actually quite a few reasons that the ADA Restoration Act is critical to the well-being of United Spinal’s membership.

1. I may be an idealist, but I feel that one of the most compelling reasons is because it’s the right thing to do. People with disabilities only gained the right to be treated on equal ground with every other American in 1990. Before that, there was no legal prohibition against discriminating on the basis of disability. In 1990, the original ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush and we gained the right to work free from discrimination. Since then, the Supreme Court eroded the protections afforded by the ADA through a series of decisions that flew in the face of the original law and its intent.



2. People with disabilities want the opportunity to work. Contrary to many stereotypes, people with disabilities are like every other citizen; we are looking for the opportunities to work, earn a living wage, be considered for promotions and even pay taxes. The barriers that exist between each person and work can be immense (i.e. transportation, physical barriers, loss of medical coverage, needed accommodations, etc.). Nonetheless, employment brings the chance for self-sufficiency, greater financial independence, social networking and self-confidence.
3. It’s in your own interests. The community of people with disabilities is the only minority group that any person can join at any time in their life. Disabilities strike people of every socio-economic, racial, or religious background. Disability can affect any person regardless of where they live, who they love or how they act. Any person can become a part of our community. If you knew that you would become disabled, wouldn’t you expect to be treated with dignity and respect? ADA Restoration Act helps achieve that goal.

The fight for equality is far, far from over even with the eventual passage of the ADA Restoration Act. With its passage, yet another barrier will fall and allow people with disabilities to more fully participate in American society.

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Thank you,
Paul J. Tobin
President
United Spinal Association