Washington, DC — Under the guise of “drive-by lawsuits,” proponents of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Education and Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 620) seek to subvert the rights of people with disabilities to access public places like stores, hotels, and even doctors’ offices.
“I lived through the indignities of life before the ADA. Enforcement under the current law is critical. The proposed bill strips our civil right to access public accommodations and places undue burdens on the individual,” said Michael J. Amoruso, Fellow, CAP, President-Elect of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys who is blind, has significant bi-lateral hearing loss and relies on his Seeing Eye Dog and hearing aids for mobility.
Under the ADA, individuals with disabilities can go to court to enforce their rights and to press for timely removal of the barrier that impedes access. H.R. 620 upends that system and puts the onus on the individual with a disability.
“The ADA has been law for more than a quarter century; businesses are already on notice of its requirements,” said Amoruso.
NAELA urges Congress to maintain the integrity of the ADA and vote NO on H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017.
About NAELA
Members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and individuals of all ages with disabilities. Upon joining, NAELA member attorneys agree to adhere to the NAELA Aspirational Standards. Established in 1987, NAELA is a non-profit association that assists lawyers, bar organizations, and others. The mission of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys is educate, inspire, serve, and provide community to attorneys with practices in elder and special needs law. NAELA currently has members across the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit NAELA.org.
