ADA Grassroots Message

Telephone Message:

“Hi. My name is_______ and I live in ________. I need Representative/ Senator______ to support the ADA Restoration Act – HR/S ____ . More than 15 years ago, the ADA was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, yet people with disabilities are still being treated unfairly. People with disabilities are in a no-win situation.  Employers can say that I am “too disabled” to perform my job, but “not disabled enough” to be protected by the ADA.  This is wrong! Restore the ADA and restore my rights – vote YES on HR/S _____.”

Fax Message:

Dear Representative/Senator  __________,
I am writing to urge your support of HR/S ____, the ADA Restoration Act. More than 15 years ago, the ADA was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, yet people with disabilities are still being treated unfairly. People with disabilities are in a no-win situation.  Employers can say that I am “too disabled” to perform my job, but “not disabled enough” to be protected by the ADA.  This is wrong! The ADA Restoration Act will allow me to find and keep a job because of my ability and skill.  Employers will be stopped from denying me my basic right to support myself through work just because of my disability.  Vote YES on HR/S ____; restore the ADA and restore my rights!

Sample Letter:

To the Honorable Representative/Senator _______,

My name is _________ and I live in _________.  I am writing as a person with (disability)/a family member, friend of someone with (disability)/ a supporter of people with disabilities to ask you to support HR/S ____, the ADA Restoration Act.

When President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, he said that “every man, woman, and child with a disability can now pass through once-closed doors into a bright new era of equality, independence, and freedom.”  

More than 15 years after passage of the ADA, however, people with disabilities are still being treated unfairly. People with disabilities are in a no-win situation. The courts have allowed employers to say that a person is “too disabled” to perform a job, but “not disabled enough” to be protected by the ADA.  The individual is never even given the chance to do the job. This is wrong!

Every American wants a fair chance to use their job skills and support themselves through work. Just like other Americans, people with disabilities can and want to work to their full ability.  The ADA was passed – with overwhelming bipartisan support – to create a level playing field so everyone who wants a job has a fair chance to find and keep a job they have the skills to do.

Many people who are trying to work despite having an impairment are not being given a fair chance.  The ADA Restoration Act would correct this injustice. This legislation restores the basic right of people who have a disability to be judged based on performance – just like women, minorities, and the rest of the American workforce.

It is time to keep the promise of the ADA for all Americans with disabilities – vote YES on HR/S ____ – restore the ADA and restore civil rights!

Thank you in advance for your support of this critical piece of legislation.

Sincerely,