Harkin to introduce legislation clarifying ADA
2007-07-27
Source: Associated Press
Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin said he will introduce legislation today that would expand the Americans with Disabilities Act to cover people with epilepsy, diabetes, cancer and other conditions.
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rss feedThe Democrat's proposal -- which boasts Democratic and Republican co-sponsors in the House and Senate -- would broaden the act's definition of disability and discourage courts from denying ADA's protections to certain people.
"Unfortunately, in recent years, the courts have ignored Congress' clear intent about who should be protected under the law," said Harkin, who helped write the original act in 1990. "This legislation will restore Congress' original intent, and ensure that all Americans with disabilities are protected from discrimination."
Harkin is expected to speak at a press conference Thursday in Washington -- the 17th anniversary of the original passage of the ADA, which outlaws discrimination against the disabled.
Harkin's legislation is a response to several courts that have ruled more measures need to be considered in determining whether someone qualifies for ADA protection.
Harkin said the rulings "have created a bizarre catch-22 where people with serious conditions like epilepsy or diabetes could be forced to choose between treating their conditions and forfeiting their protections under the ADA, or not treating their conditions and being protected."
Such a choice is impractical and against the original intent of the ADA, Harkin said.
