H.R. 620, The Bill that would weaken the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) passed the House of Representatives and will now move to the Senate. This bill reduces the ADA benefits for people with disabilities to architectural access in public accommodations such as hotels, restaurants and businesses. It also adds “Notice and Cure” which requires the disabled person to notify a business before filing a lawsuit, and often times includes a waiting period for a business to fix the problem. This removes any incentive for a business to be compliant with the ADA act that has been in place for over 25 years. To read an Overview of the H.R. 620 click here.
Sample letter:
Dear Senator _______________,
Please oppose H.R. 620 or any bill that adds “Notice and Cure”. Under H.R. 620, there would be no consequences for violating the civil rights of people with disabilities, which means there will be no incentive to comply with the ADA. The ADA is what allows us go out into our own communities! Why should a wheelchair user be unable to join her family at a restaurant, just because the owner has resisted installing a ramp for 25 years? Especially when there are tax incentives available to build that ramp and remove other barriers.
No other group in our country is forced to carry the burdens in H.R. 620 to enforce their civil rights. Why must people with disabilities be treated like second class citizens? This bill means businesses would face no consequence for having violated the the ADA for years or decades.
H.R. 620 will take the heart out of the ADA by denying people with disabilities our basic civil rights, and undermine the very principles of an inclusive society that America is all about.
Please do not place additional barriers in the path of people with disabilities! We urge you to reject H.R. 620 and similar bills.
Sincerely,
Additional Resources:
Educate yourself on the issue- watch this video.
Sign the online petition on Change.org: Stop HR 620 Petition
Save the ADA web page, National Disability Rights Network
H.R. 620 website with summary, bill text, etc.
Overview of concerns with H.R. 620