Civil Rights
AUCD works towards equal civil rights and protections for people with disabilities and for enforcement of federal civil rights laws.
Click below or at left to learn more about the civil rights issues AUCD follows. Visit AUCD's Action Center and click on "Current Legislation" to see the the latest bills related to civil rights.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 to "provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities." The ADA broadened protections and promoted the inclusion, integration and empowerment of Americans with disabilities. In 2008, Congress enacted the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), reaffirming its commitment to protecting citizens with disabilities against discrimination and ensuring them access to opportunity.
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act protects all Americans from discrimination based on their genetic information with regard to employment and health insurance.
Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by Federal agencies or receiving Federal financial assistance, in Federal employment, and in the employment practices of Federal contractors. The standards for determining employment discrimination under the Rehabilitation Act are the same as those used in title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Section 504 forbids organizations and employers from excluding or denying individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services. It defines the rights of individuals with disabilities to participate in, and have access to, program benefits and services.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (also an Education issue)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) law ensures services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
International Civil Rights
AUCD advocates for the protection of equal rights of children and adults with disabilities in all parts of the world, through international measures, including ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
News
6/1/2013
New York Times Editorial Board Supports the Disability Treaty
The New York Times Editorial Board wrote this strongly worded editorial in support of the Disability Treaty. According to the NYT, "disabled children and their communities would benefit if the children were accommodated in schools, workplaces, vocational training, transportation and local rehabilitation programs - and if all countries ratified the convention and a related convention on the rights of children."
5/21/2013
Tennessee Mom Writes About Why She Supports the Disability Treaty
Measure won't infringe on rights, but some home-school advocates have made outrageous claims
Angela Webster home schools her children and was "shocked to find that it was the voices of home-schooling families who stood in stark opposition" to the disability treaty.
Resources
6/27/2011
Olmstead: Community Integration for Everyone
from http://www.ada.gov
To commemorate the 12th anniversary of the Olmstead decision, the Department of Justice launched a new section of its ADA website providing information and resources about the decision and its enforcement. Users can visit the site to find briefs filed by the Department, as well as other relevant materials. The website provides easy access to an extensive collection of ADA technical assistance materials and settlement agreements, as well as information about enforcement, mediation, technical assistance and certification activities and links to other sites with ADA information.
6/23/2011
Statement of the Department of Justice on Enforcement of the Integration Mandate of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Olmstead v. L.C.
from http://www.ada.gov
The Department of Justice released a new technical assistance document describing public entities' obligations and individuals' rights under the integration mandate of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 1999 landmark Supreme Court decision, Olmstead v. L.C. The document also provides questions and answers on a variety of ADA enforcement issues related to Olmstead.
Statement of the Department of Justice on Enforcement of the Integration Mandate of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Olmstead v. L.C.
[download]
10/26/2010
ADA Settlement Agreement: United States v. Georgia
The Settlement Agreement resolves the DOJ's complaint against Georgia regarding the State's failure to serve individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness in the most integrated setting appropriate.
Letters
9/22/2010
CCD Sign-on Letter: Rosa's Law (S. 2871)
Final letter sent to leaders from the House of Representatives urging the House to vote for passage of Rosa's Law.
CCD Letter of Support for Rosa's Law 9-22-10.pdf
[download]
7/28/2010
CCD Sign-on Letter supporting ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
AUCD signed on to this letter from the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities supporting the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
CCD sign on letter re: CRPD
[download]
4/6/2009
CCD Letter on Hate Crimes Act
A sign on letter developed by AUCD in partnership with the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities to support the passage of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. This legislation would grant agencies the authority to investigate and prosecute federal crimes based on the victim's disability, whether actual or perceived, and would authorize funding to states to help with the prosecution of Hate Crimes.
CCD Letter-Hate-Crimes-Senate-5-14-09.pdf
[download]
