Oppose Weakening the ADA

Please Sign In

Username:
Password:
Click Submit to Login:
Remember Me

Forgot your password? Not a member? Join Now

Oppose H.R. 3356

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that protects the civil rights of people with disabilities. One of the most important things that it does is to require the owners of businesses that are open to the public to fix or remove physical barriers that keep people with disabilities from entering and using them.

Together we need to fight against a bill by California Republican Congressman Dan Lungren that attacks these civil rights by weakening our ability to enforce the ADA. It chips away at the progress we’ve made to educate Americans about the positive contributions we can make if given opportunities for equal access to schools, businesses, and jobs.

The Lungren bill discriminates against our community by requiring businesses being sued to be given written notice about every violation and then delays the case from moving forward for 4 months. It would even apply in cases where the owner has consistently refused to meet the ADA. The civil rights of no other Americans are treated this way.

The notice and delay would actually discourage business owners from following the law. This bill would reward those who refuse to follow the law by giving them more time to remain inaccessible. In addition, it increases the chance that a lawsuit will not be filed. Why would anyone believe that a business would fix their access problems during the 4 month delay that they haven’t already fixed in the last 21 years? In reality, it’s the first step toward repealing the ADA.

Take Action

Message Recipients

Dan Lungren (Republican) - Representative

Your Federal Senator(s)

Your Federal Representative(s)

Review the Message

Letters to Congress are more powerful in they include your personal story. Let Congress know how this bill affects you and your family. Add your comments or modify this letter to include your personal statement.

Subject:*

Click here for some bullet points to help you get started on your letter
Dear (recipient name),

I am writing to express my strong opposition to H.R. 3356 by Congressman Dan Lungren.  I encourage the Congressman to drop his bill, but if he does not, I ask that my Representative and Senators Boxer and Feinstein vote against it.  This bill weakens the civil rights protections of people with disabilities guaranteed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  It is a “notice and delay” bill that requires a business owner to be given advance written notice about every claimed ADA violation.  It would also delay every case from moving forward for 4 months, even those with merit or where a business owner has consistently refused to take action.  
	
I oppose the bill because it would actually discourage business owners from becoming accessible unless or until they are sued.  It actually rewards those that have failed to follow the law by giving them more time for their business to remain inaccessible and decreases the chances that even proven violations will be pursued.  The civil rights of no other Americans are treated this way.  The bill is really the first step toward repealing the ADA.  Why would anyone believe that a business owner would take care of the access problem during the 4 month delay if they have failed to take care of it before?

Although the ADA became law over 21 years ago, people with disabilities are frustrated that access barriers still keep them from entering or using  public places throughout the nation.  The problem exists because Congress did not require state and local officials to enforce the ADA.  If a business owner is unwilling to repair access problems, the only way to enforce the ADA is to have the Federal government or the person denied access sue in court.  Most people denied access don’t sue, so more often than not the access problem goes on and on.

On the other hand, many business owners claim that they don’t know what the ADA requires, while others just oppose the ADA.  Some think it’s just too expensive to comply with the ADA, even the cost of repairs is almost always less than going to court.  If Congressman Lungren really wants to solve the problems Congress created, he should propose legislation that requires the education of business owners about their ADA responsibilities and to come up with creative ways to give business owners incentives to solve their access problems, not avoid them as this bill allows.

Equal access to public places is an important civil right for people with disabilities.  We want to protect our rights to take advantage of the opportunities that make our country great---by having free access to public places and to get an education, find a job, and contribute to our economy as taxpayers.

You will receive an email confirming that your message was sent. Check the box if you would also like to receive a copy of this letter.

Your Information

*Required Fields

First Name*
Middle Initial
Last Name*
Job Title
Company Name
Address Line 1*
Address Line 2
City*
State*
ZIP/Postal Code*
Country*
Phone
(xxx xxx xxxx)
Alternate Phone
(xxx xxx xxxx)
Email*
Age

Click Submit Button: