President George W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House. Joining him for the signing of the law that amends the ADA Act of 1990, are, from left: Former President George H.W. Bush, Republican Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin and his spouse, Cheryl Sensenbrenner; Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland; Republican Rep. Buck McKeon of California; Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York; Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa); Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.); Democratic Rep. Jim Langevin of Rhode Island, and U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
On September 25th, President George W. Bush signed into law the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. The ceremony took place in the Oval Office in the presence of House and Senate ADA champions and the president’s father, George H.W. Bush, who signed the original ADA in 1990.
The ADA Amendments Act tells the courts that the way they have been interpreting the ADA leaves out the very people it was designed to protect: Americans with disabilities.
“The ADA Amendments Act will help all Americans with disabilities have a fair chance to have a job. Anyone who is qualified for a job should not be excluded on the basis of a disability, ” said Paul Tobin, President of United Spinal Association. “As an organization serving veterans since our formation just after World War II, United Spinal Association is especially pleased that the ADA Amendments Act will provide a remedy for any veteran with a disability who recovers enough to re-enter the workforce.”
United Spinal Association congratulates and thanks, in addition to President Bush, House and Senate leaders of both parties who came together on this bill: Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT).
United Spinal Association helped lead the unusual coalition that reached a compromise and came together to back this bill. It has the support of 269 business, disabilities, civil rights, faith and veterans/military organizations.
