From another list:
Action Alert: Stop Another Attack on the ADA!
They couldn't wait for the banners to be taken down from 25th Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) 25th Anniversary celebrations. Adding insult to injury, Representative
Poe (R-TX) introduced H.R. 3765, the ADA Education & Reform Act, on October 20, 2015.
The bill has already garnered support from others, including Representatives Collins
(R-GA), Jolly (R-FL), Marchant (R-TX), and Lamar Smith (R-TX). Please reach out to
your Representatives and ask them not to support this piece of legislation.
The bill is being touted as an education bill, which is a new approach by the American
Hotel & Lodging Association and others supporting it. You may remember when NCIL
members held a “pool party” at their office (located just a few blocks from the 2012
NCIL Annual Conference) after they supported similar legislation to damage the ADA.
ADA Notification Act with a Twist
H.R. 3765 contains language similar to that used in past proposed legislation that
would have limited the ADA. Section 3 of the bill creates a new crime for sending
"a demand letter… alleging a violation of [Title III] of the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990…" that does not meet certain requirements. This in itself is damaging
and unacceptable. In no other civil rights legislation is it a crime to file a complaint.
Should this legislation pass, it would become effective 30 days after enactment.
As NCIL members, it is important that we take action on this bill before it gains
legs. Now is the time to reach out to your legislators and ask them not to support
H.R. 3765, which would create additional barriers to our civil rights as persons
with disabilities. If enacted, this bill could set damaging precedence potentially
affecting other civil rights legislation by making notification a crime.
NCIL will be working with other disability rights organizations to stop this bill.
Should additional actions be required, we will reach out to the membership. We must
ensure that the ADA stays strong by stopping proposals like this before they gain
traction.
Sincerely,
Mike Bachhuber & Steve Higgins, NCIL ADA / Civil Rights Subcommittee Co-Chairs
Ardis Bazyn
Please join Kevin and me at the California Council of the Blind 2k/5k Walk/Run on November 14 at La Crescenta Park or donate to our cause. You can bring your favorite dog or person. Please go to http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bazynberkery/mutt-strut-2015-los-angeles to make a donation or join our team. Thanks for your support.
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