Pages

Monday, July 26, 2010

20th Anniversary of the ADA

On this day, exactly twenty years ago, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"). At the time, President Bush offered these words:
I know there may have been concerns that the ADA may be too vague or too costly, or may lead endlessly to litigation. But I want to reassure you right now that my administration and the United States Congress have carefully crafted this Act. We've all been determined to ensure that it gives flexibility, particularly in terms of the timetable of implementation; and we've been committed to containing the costs that may be incurred.... Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down.
As CNN informs us, the ADA debate rages on, even after 20 years. One thing I find amusing about the article is its use of "internet chat board sampling" as the basis for its main point.

More than 18 years after the original ADA, President George W. Bush signed into law the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA). Courts have generally held that the ADAAA is not retroactive. As a result, there has been some delay in the publication of actual case law addressing new ADAAA issues. Rest assured though, it's starting to emerge and will work its way into the mainstream soon enough.

Posted by Philip Miles, an employment lawyer with McQuaide Blasko in State College, Pennsylvania.

No comments:

Post a Comment