On Wednesday, September 17, 2008 the U.S. House passed the Senate version of the ADA Amendments Act (Senate Bill 3406) by unanimous consent.  The bill now heads to the White House for President Bush’s signature.

This bill has been praised by leaders of national disability, civil rights, and social justice organizations as restoring vital civil rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  In recent years, the ADA has been narrowed in the courts leaving citizens with epilepsy, diabetes, mental illness, HIV-AIDS, and other disabilities unprotected from discrimination.  The ADA Amendments Act clarifies the original intent of Congress in 1990, especially regarding ADA employment-related court cases.  It returns the ADA to cover people that the Act had been designed to include. [Detailed information about the Act]

Action Step: The president is expected to sign the bill, but to help ensure that he does, your advocacy is recommended.  Please contact him at
202/456-1111 or by email at: comments@whitehouse.gov with your comments on why this bill is needed for people with disabilities.