Civil Rights
AUCD works towards equal civil rights and protections for people with disabilities and for enforcement of federal civil rights laws.
Click below or at left to learn more about the civil rights issues AUCD follows:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 to "provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities." The ADA broadened protections and promoted the inclusion, integration and empowerment of Americans with disabilities. In 2008, Congress enacted the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), reaffirming its commitment to protecting citizens with disabilities against discrimination and ensuring them access to opportunity.
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act protects all Americans from discrimination based on their genetic information with regard to employment and health insurance.
Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by Federal agencies or receiving Federal financial assistance, in Federal employment, and in the employment practices of Federal contractors. The standards for determining employment discrimination under the Rehabilitation Act are the same as those used in title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Section 504 forbids organizations and employers from excluding or denying individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services. It defines the rights of individuals with disabilities to participate in, and have access to, program benefits and services.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (also an Education issue)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) law ensures services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
News
9/2/2010
Rosa's Law (S.2781) & the Elizabeth A. Connelly Act (H.R. 4544)
Legislation that would replace the term "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability" in specific federal health, education, and labor laws.
8/27/2010
H.R. 1255
Congressmen continue to sign on to a bill that would limit the authority of the Protection & Advocacy system to protect the rights of persons living in insitutional settings
Information and talking points.
Resources
8/25/2010
Archive ADA
from This Georgetown Law site serves as a comprehensive, online archive of documents and history related to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA). Here you can find the text of the law, legislative history, congressional hearings, Supreme Court cases, federal regulations, policy and advocacy documents and additional information related to the passage of the original ADA and the ADAAA.
7/21/2010
FEMA, NCIL Mark the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with Memorandum of Agreement
Federal Emergency Management Agency and National Council on Independent Living's Memorandum of Agreement to coordinate public engagement efforts on preparedness, response, and recovery.
1/30/2008
National Council on Disabilities 2007 Impact Report: Assessing the Progress Toward Achieving the Goals of the ADA
ADA Impact Report.pdf
[download]
Letters
7/28/2010
CCD Sign-on Letter supporting ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
AUCD signed on to this letter from the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities supporting the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
CCD sign on letter re: CRPD
[download]
8/6/2009
CCD Letter on additional statues in the Mathew Shephard Hate Crimes Act of 2009
5/29/2009
CCD Letter on Hate Crimes Act
CCD Sign on letter to support Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act
