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NCD BULLETIN A Monthly Publication of the National Council on Disability (NCD) Marca Bristo, Chairperson The Bulletin, which is free of charge, available in alternative formats, and at NCD's award-winning Web site (http://www.ncd.gov), brings you the latest issues and news affecting people with disabilities. To subscribe, send e-mail to (bulletin-request@ncd.gov) and write "subscribe" in the body of the message. Please send your comments to Bulletin editor Mark S. Quigley (mquigley@ncd.gov). Disability Civil Rights Update On Wednesday, October 11, 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in University of Alabama v. Garrett (No. 99-1240), a case that calls into question the constitutionality of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and whether Congress had the constitutional authority under the Fourteenth Amendment to enact it. If the Court says Congress did not, individuals may no longer be able to enforce Titles I and II of ADA against the states. Moreover, a negative ruling could call into question altogether the constitutionality of Title II of ADA, as well as other disability rights statutes. The Court's opinion could potentially have a profound impact on the civil rights of all Americans for generations to come. Specifically, the Court will decide whether state employees are protected by ADA. The case, which involves two state employees alleging disability-related job discrimination, will be decided in 2001. NCD will file an amicus curiae brief in support of respondents to the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of the University of Alabama v. Garrett. This brief will be available online (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/publications.html). To draw attention to this case, disability advocates from across the country are planning a March for Justice at noon on Tuesday, October 3, on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol at Upper Senate Park (north side of the Capitol), Delaware and Constitution Avenues, NE, Washington, DC. Participants will be marching in support of ADA and the civil rights of all Americans. For more information, contact Dan Dotson, TASH--Disability Advocacy Worldwide, at 410-828-8274, ext. 104 (voice); 410-828-1306 (TTY); ddotson@tash.org (e-mail); or visit their Web site (www.tash.org). ADA Tenth Anniversary People with disabilities celebrated the tenth anniversary of ADA at numerous events around the country and in Washington, DC, including a special NCD luncheon honoring the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) for the pivotal role it played in the passage of ADA. During the July 25 luncheon, LCCR was presented with NCD's newly established Justin Dart Freedom Award. LCCR executive director Wade Henderson accepted the award. He was accompanied by former LCCR executive director Ralph Neas and LCCR executive committee member Pat Wright. Congressman Major R. Owens (D-NY) gave the keynote address, while Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) made special congratulatory remarks. President Bill Clinton celebrated the ADA anniversary at a Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial event, where he announced his commitment to hiring 100,000 people with disabilities in the Federal Government and tripling the amount of money students can earn without losing their disability benefits. Vice President Al Gore celebrated with remarks at the annual National Council on Independent Living conference, where he announced new initiatives as part of his comprehensive agenda to expand independence and opportunity for people with disabilities. Specifically, Gore would help people with disabilities live in their own communities rather than institutions and would expand employment and educational opportunities. He said he would improve access to quality health care, including mental health care, and would fight to protect the rights of people with disabilities. Community Briefings Update NCD conducted a think tank and civil rights retreat in Washington, DC, June 27-29, 2000. From those meetings, a disability civil rights agenda was developed that includes a strategic action plan for disability civil rights enforcement for the next decade. Over the next two months, 13 community briefings will be held to share and solicit input on the plan from grassroots stakeholders in every region of the country. The dates and locations of the briefings are August 14, New York, NY; August 17, Atlanta, GA; August 30, Houston, TX; September 6, Denver, CO; September 7, Anchorage, AK; September 8, Philadelphia, PA; September 13, Los Angeles, CA; September 15, Miami, FL; September 19, Boston, MA; September 21, Portland, OR; September 27, Rapid City, SD; September 28, Chicago, IL; and September 29, Kansas City, MO. For specific locations and information, contact Carla Nelson, National Council on Disability, 1331 F Street NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20004-1107; 202-272-2004 (voice), 202-272-2074 (TTY), 202-272-2022 (fax), or smadison@ncd.gov (e-mail). Paul Hearne Leadership Awards The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) announced the Paul G. Hearne/AAPD Leadership Awards for People with Disabilities. Named in honor of the disability leader and former NCD executive director who spent his life opening doors and removing barriers to achievement for people with disabilities, the program is administered by AAPD and funded by the Milbank Foundation for Rehabilitation, the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, the Achelis Foundation, and AAPD. For an application, please contact Jessa Steinbeck, AAPD, 1-800-840-8844 (voice/TTY); aapd@aol.com (e-mail); or visit their Web site (www.aapd-dc.org). The application deadline is September 1, 2000. |
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