NCJW Celebrates 20th Anniversary of ADA, Calls for the Passage of the Community Choice Act
July 26, 2010, Washington, DC — The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — the landmark legislation that secured civil rights for persons with disabilities in the United States — and calls for passage of the Community Choice Act as a next step. NCJW President Nancy Ratzan released the following statement:
“July 26 marks the 20th anniversary of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a law that forever changed our nation’s treatment and perception of persons with disabilities. The act was the culmination of a long struggle to provide equal opportunities to persons with disabilities and to enable them to live full lives and contribute to our nation to the fullest extent. We are proud that NCJW played an important role in enacting the ADA.
“Prior to 1990, persons with disabilities had few protections in federal law against discrimination in employment, access to state and local government services and programs or to public transportation, accommodations, and telecommunications. The reach of the law is broad, and in its wake, a sea change in public attitudes has greatly helped persons with disabilities and enriched our society as a whole.
“But the mandate of the ADA has yet to be fully realized. To date, rampant unemployment and poverty continue to plague the disabled population, while court decisions and weak enforcement erode the intended benefits of the ADA. There is still much work to be done to ensure that civil rights laws for people with disabilities meet today’s challenges and needs.
“Congress has the opportunity to help meet the current needs of approximately two million Americans living with disabilities in nursing homes and institutions by passing the Community Choice Act (CCA). This bill gives disabled individuals access to community-based services and helps to ensure that every person would be entitled to have a say in where and how their care and services are provided. NCJW salutes the 20th anniversary of the ADA and recommits to ensuring that people with disabilities and our whole nation benefit from its vision.”
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Contact: Emily Alfano
202 296 2588 × 5; emily@ncjwdc.org