March 7, 2018
Dear Friends,
Champaign County Health Care Consumers is joining with health and disability activists from around the country to participate in a national Day of Action to protect the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Please join us in taking action TODAY to send a clear message that we will not stand to accept our rights being taken away.
Students from Beckwith and UIUC have put together this call to action:
The ADA Education and Reform Act (HR 620) – A Threat to Disability Rights
Whether you are a person with a disability, or an ally, we are all going to be affected by this cruel and unnecessary act by our government. Let us come together and fight for the right of equal access!
The Current Law:
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) means that places of public accommodation (shops, restaurants, theaters, etc.) cannot discriminate against people with disabilities. Advocates fought hard for the ADA 28 years ago. HR 620 calls for changes that make the ADA harder to enforce.
Under the current ADA law, a person with a disability who faces discrimination has 3 choices to try to get corrective action:
1) Speak with the business;
2) File a complaint with the Department of Justice; or
3) File a lawsuit in court.
What HR 620 (The ADA Education and Reform Act) would do:
HR 620 would take away the person’s right to immediately go to court to seek redress. It would give the entity against whom the complaint is lodged 60 days to respond to a complaint, and 120 days to make “substantial progress” toward resolving the problem. However, “substantial progress” has not been defined.
Why This Is Harmful:
People with disabilities will wait even longer for their right to access. Businesses will have to “make progress” instead of giving or creating real access. HR 620 ignores the many resources that already exist to help businesses learn about the ADA and come into compliance.
Status of HR 620:
HR 620 passed in the House of Representatives….But you can talk to your Senators and express your opposition!
Take Action!
Call, text, tweet, and/or post on Facebook TODAY!
In Illinois, please contact Senators Durbin and Duckworth:
Senator Durbin
(202) 224-2152 (DC)
Senator Duckworth
(202) 224-2854 (DC)
You can also call your Senator at (202) 224-3121. Press 1. Speak your state or enter your zip code. Follow directions that the message gives.
If you are Deaf/deaf and need a TTY: 202-224-3091.
Text your officials on Resistbot – text 50409 and type resist in the message body.
Tweet or post on Facebook about why Senators should vote no, using the hashtag #HandsOffMyADA [1]
Tell your friends to reach out to their Senators.
However you do it, tell your Senators that HR 620 is bad for our country. A “no” vote will protect disability rights!
Thank you for your support!
Champaign County Health Care Consumers