Office of the Press Secretary
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For Immediate Release July 24, 2009
ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, 2009
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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Today we celebrate the 19th anniversary of the enactment of the historic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Signed into law on July 26, 1990, this landmark legislation established a clear mandate against discrimination on the basis of disability so that people with disabilities would have an equal opportunity to achieve the American Dream.
Our Nation is once again poised to make history for people with disabilities. I am proud to announce that the United States will sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in New York on December 13, 2006. The Convention is the first new human rights convention of the 21st century adopted by the United Nations, and it represents a paradigm shift in protecting the human rights of 650 million people with disabilities worldwide. We proudly join the international community in further advancing the rights of people with disabilities.
As we reflect upon the past and look toward a brighter future, we recognize that our country has made great progress. More than ever before, Americans with disabilities enjoy greater access to technology and economic self-sufficiency. More communities are accessible, more children with disabilities learn alongside their peers, and more employers recognize the capabilities of people with disabilities.
Despite these achievements, much work remains to be done. People with disabilities far too often lack the choice to live in communities of their choosing; their unemployment rate is much higher than those without disabilities; they are much likelier to live in poverty; health care is out of reach for too many; and too many children with disabilities are denied a world-class education.
My Administration has met these challenges head-on. We have launched the "Year of Community Living" to help people with disabilities live wherever they choose. We have nearly doubled the funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. I was proud to sign the groundbreaking Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act and the Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which provides health insurance to millions of additional children. I also lifted the ban on stem cell more research. These measures demonstrate our commitment to leveling the playing field for every person with a disability. My Administration will not rest on these accomplishments, and we will continue to focus on improving the lives of people with disabilities. I encourage States, localities, and communities across the country to cultivate an environment in which the 54 million Americans living with a disability are valued and respected.
Americans have repeatedly affirmed the importance of protecting the human rights and dignity of every member of this great country. Through the steps we have taken, we will continue to build on the ADA and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to promoting, protecting, and ensuring the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by people with disabilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America , by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States , do hereby proclaim July 26, 2009, as the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I call on Americans across our country to celebrate the progress we have made in protecting the civil rights of people with disabilities and to recognize the step forward we make with the signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Inspired by the advances of the last 19 years, let us commit to greater achievements in the years ahead.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
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( 3 / 122 )Protection and Advocacy for Voter Access (PAVA) Project
Helping Americans with disabilities vote, like everyone else.
June/July 2009 Update
This series of emails contains information on the current state of Help America Vote Act (HAVA) compliance in downstate New York , the progress of accessible voting options for people with disabilities and other items of interest concerning voting in New York . You may forward this email to any interested party. If you would like to be added to this email list or you have an item of interest that you would like to include, please contact Rima McCoy at rmccoy@cidny. org.
ACTIVITIES
Long Island Center for Independent Living (LICIL) meets with Nassau County BOE
LICIL hosted a meeting on June 15th to discuss the Nassau County BOE’s response to their November 2008 Poll Site Accessibility report. The BOE visited all 36 poll sites surveyed by LICIL’s Disabled Rights Initiative for Voter Empowerment (DRIVE), an active group of consumers and staff working to increase the voting power of people with disabilities on Long Island . Nassau County is taking action to address the problems identified in LICIL’s report, including providing better signage and ramps, establishing accessible parking and pledging that poll workers who do not pass the two hour, hands-on BMD training class will not be assigned to a poll site.
CIDNY conducts disability awareness trainings for NYC BOE
Using material gathered from poll site accessibility and individual voter surveys, CIDNY designed interactive, problem-solving materials for poll workers to be used by the BOE’s Adjunct Trainers. CIDNY coached approximately 90 Adjunct Trainers in June and July in preparing poll workers to assist voters with disabilities in a respectful, legal way. The trainings were a response to reports to CIDNY from voters during the 2008 elections about inadequate poll worker assistance with the new Ballot Marking Devices.
CIDNY shares poll worker training with Rockland Independent Living Center (RILC)
On June 17th, CIDNY met with the staff of the RILC to share its disability awareness training curriculum for poll workers and discuss the process of developing material based on the experience of Rockland ’s voters. For more information on this work, contact Rima McCoy at rmccoy@cidny. org
CIDNY and the Baruch College Computer Center for Visually Impaired People (CCVIP) meets with the NYC BOE’s Public Education Team
At a June 19th meeting with the BOE team on Public Education and Information, CIDNY and CCVIP discussed the 2010 Public Education Campaign to inform the public about the new voting systems and plans for outreach to voters with disabilities. The BOE and their contractors from Burson Marsteller agreed to consult with the disability community prior to publishing materials.
UPDATES
NYC BOE takes measures to improve voting accessibility
Voters with disabilities may see improved poll site accessibility as a result of the following NYC BOE plans. CIDNY will assess the outcomes of these measures through poll site and individual voter surveys during the upcoming elections.
· $1.7 million federal grant used to make permanent fixes to poll sites located at public schools
· $700,000 federal grant used for temporary accessible equipment, such as portable ramps in several sizes, 5X5 ramp platforms and cones to indicate hazards to people who use canes.
· Poll worker training to include a new, hands-on, 1 hour BMD training, supplemented with a review video
· Establish BMD Learning Centers so that poll workers and the public can become familiar with the machine before the election
· Updated BMD software to eliminate glitches, such as long boot up times.
NEWS
Poll Site Accessibility Bill S1058A passes the Senate
On July 17th the Senate passed S1058A, known as the Poll Site Accessibility Bill. It would require all poll sites to comply with the accessibility guidelines of the ADA and put an end to the practice of granting waivers for inaccessible sites. Waivers have made it possible for counties to avoid having to make inaccessible sites accessible. The "same-as" bill in the Assembly, A.584-A, passed on May 11th as part of Disability Awareness Day. Some form of this bill has passed the State Assembly for the last several years, but it has never made it through the Senate until now. Disability advocates have been working to make this bill law since 2001.
Senate mark up site
The New York State Senate has recently launched a new online tool, NYSenate Markup, to increase the transparency of the legislative process. This tool, which can be accessed at www.nysenate. gov/legislation, enables the public to read and comment on legislation that is under consideration by the Senate. Currently, two disability-related bills are available for viewing on the site. Bill S1058 would require all New York State polling places to be ADA accessible. Bill S1836 would allow poll inspectors to work half-day shifts, enabling many more people with disabilities to serve as poll inspectors. Comments in support of these two bills have already been posted by organizations like CIDNY, the New York Multiple Sclerosis Coalition Action Network, the Long Island Independent Living Center, and the Catskill Center for Independence. We strongly encourage individuals to visit the site, read the bills, and make their voices heard on these important voting access issues. Click on the following links to read comments on S1058 and S1836.
LWV comments on the State Board of Elections Pilot Program
The League of Women Voters of New York State (LWVNY) submitted comments calling attention to areas where the State Board of Election’s Pilot Plan “lacks sufficient safeguards to protect the voters of New York State .” The SBOE Pilot Plan encourages county Boards of Elections throughout New York State to deploy uncertified optical scan voting systems (OpScan) for the September 2009 primary and general elections in order to gain invaluable hands on experience. While the LWVNY acknowledges the benefits of a pilot, it points out that pilots are designed to be limited in scope in order to test whether a system works. With over half a million NYS voters affected, the SBOE Pilot Plan is neither limited, nor does it provides a means to find out if the new voting system works since there are no provisions for independent verification of the OpScan results.
As mentioned in the last HAVA Update, only Putnam County in the downstate region will participate in the pilot program, with plans to implement a full roll out at all polling sites. Citing impracticalities due to the upcoming mayoral elections, probable runoffs, and large turnout, the NYC BOE declined to get involved.
U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) releases report on voting accessibility
Comparing poll site accessibility in the last two presidential elections, GAO found that although only 27% of polling places were wheelchair accessible in 2008, it was a significant improvement over 16% in 2000. To read the report, go to: http://www.gao. gov/new.items/ d09685.pdf. GAO will issue follow up voting access reports in September and November of this year.
If you have comments on anything appearing in this Update, please contact Rima McCoy at rmccoy@cidny. org or call 646-442-4146.
Rima McCoy
Voting Rights Coordinator
Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY (CIDNY)
841 Broadway, #301
New York , NY 10003
646-442-4146
rmccoy@cidny. org
Visit our website and join the conversation at CIDNY on the Issues
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( 3 / 131 )http://www.unitedspinal.org/publication ... i-studies/
http://www.unitedspinal.org/publication ... i-studies/
The studies are in our backyard. Take advantage of the opportunity to help others that have sustained A spinal cord injury/disease and be paid or compensated for your time.
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( 3 / 174 )2009 Independence Expo - The consumer experience for people with disabilities and aging Americans is scheduled for New York . Admission, workshops, parking, and raffle are all free.
The Consumer Experience For Persons With Disabilities & Aging Americans
Long Island New York
June 27 & 28
Suffolk Community College
Sports & Exhibition Complex
Crooked Hill Road
Brentwood , NY 11717
What’s Happening At The Independence Expo?
Exhibits That Offer Something For Everyone
Hot Consumer Workshops
Free Consumer Workshops 2009 Independence Expo
Need to know or want to know- Independence Expo Consumer Workshops will connect you with your Independence .
Top it off with free admission, free parking and great venues making 2009 Independence Expo the consumer event to attend this year.
Exhibitor and Sponsorship Information http://www.independenceexpo.org/
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( 2.9 / 138 )The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has voted to revise its regulations to conform to changes made by the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008, which would make it easier for an individual seeking protection under the ADA to establish that he or she has a disability.
PRESS RELEASE
6-17-09
COMMISSION VOTES TO REVISE RULES TO CONFORM TO ADA AMENDMENTS ACT
New Regulations Would Make it Easier for People to Establish Disability Under ADA
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) voted today to revise its regulations to conform to changes made by the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008, which would make it easier for an individual seeking protection under the ADA to establish that he or she has a disability.
The Commission voted 2-1 to adopt the rules changes, at a public meeting this morning at the agency’s Washington headquarters. The five-member body has two vacancies.
The rules changes approved today represent an initial stage in the regulatory process and must next go to the Office of Management and Budget for review, and to federal agencies pursuant to Executive Order 12067, without public comment.
“In approving these proposed regulations, the EEOC today is taking a significant step toward returning the ADA to the broad and strong civil rights statute that Congress originally intended it to be,” said EEOC Acting Chairman Stuart J. Ishimaru. “The proposed regulations will permit individuals with disabilities to participate to the fullest extent possible in the American workplace.”
Acting EEOC Vice Chair Christine M. Griffin said, “Today’s vote is historic. These regulations will serve to shift the focus of the courts from further narrowing the definition of disability and putting it back to where Congress intended when the ADA was enacted in 1990. Courts should now focus on whether discrimination based on disability is occurring in the workplace. The protections afforded by the ADA AA and these new regulations are important for all workers including our returning wounded warriors who certainly deserve the right to re-enter a workforce free of discrimination.”
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an antidiscrimination statute, was signed into law in July 1990. The EEOC is responsible for enforcing Title I of the ADA , which prohibits employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The statute requires employers to make reasonable accommodations to employees and job applicants with disabilities— defined as people with mental or physical impairments that substantially limit a major life activity, persons with a record of a disability, or who, while not actually disabled, are regarded as disabled.
The ADA Amendments Act, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2009, makes important changes to the definition of the term "disability" by rejecting the holdings in several Supreme Court decisions and portions of EEOC's prior ADA regulations. The effect of these changes is to make it easier for an individual seeking protection under the ADA to establish that he or she has a disability as defined by the ADA . The ADAAA emphasizes that the definition of disability should be construed in favor of broad coverage of individuals to the maximum extent permitted by the terms of the ADA and generally shall not require extensive analysis.
The ADAAA also states that Congress expects the EEOC to revise its regulations to conform to changes made by Act, and expressly authorizes the EEOC to do so.
The EEOC is responsible for enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.
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