Action Alert: Stop Congress from Chipping Away at the ADA! Hearing on May 19th, 2016

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) has shared a Action Alert, the U.S. Congress is holding a hearing Thursday. May, 19th that could limit the ability to file ADA complaints - which would limit, and weaken the Americans with Disabilities Act! 

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR MEMBER OF THE U.S. CONGRESS - FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE!

The proposed bill, H.R. 3765, would make it a criminal offense to make any statement about enforcing our ADA rights unless we follow a very particular pre-notice process. So it makes you a criminal for demanding your civil rights.

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Action Alert! Stop Congress from chipping away at our rights Oppose HR 3765   Tomorrow the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice is holding a hearing on HR 3765 – the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2015. AAPD and our partners in the Disability Rights Movement oppose this legislation because it will chip away at the hard-fought victory of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The proposed legislation would prohibit, and subject violators to a criminal fine for, sending demand letters alleging a violation of the ADA with regard to public accommodations. This bill seeks to limit the power of the ADA and reduce compliance with the law. Hearing: HR 3765 Examining Legislation to Promote the Effective Enforcement of the ADA’s Public Accommodation Provisions Thursday, May 19th 9:00am ET Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2141 Almost 26 years ago, the ADA was enacted as a compromise between the disability and business communities. The disability community gave up the ability to receive damages from failure to comply with the federal ADA by only allowing injunctive relief and attorney’s fees for violations of the law with the understanding state and local governments and property owners of public spaces would comply with the regulations. Unfortunately, almost 26 years after enactment, there are still organizations, businesses, and companies who have yet to comply with this important civil rights law for persons with disabilities. Kelly Buckland (Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living and AAPD Board Member) will be the only witness testifying at the hearing about the importance of the ADA and the significant harms HR 3765 would cause. It would send a strong message to the subcommittee to have a crowd of disability rights advocates pack the room – please join us at the Senate if you are in the DC area! Those of you who can't make it in person can participate via the live stream. More information on the hearing and the live stream are available here. Lead on! ### American Association of People with Disabilities 2013 H Street, NW 5th Floor Washington, DC 20006 For more on AAPD, visit: www.aapd.com/ The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities.