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News & Events
Forum advocates ADA amendments
JOLIET
JOLIET -- Federal law protecting people with disabilities could be tightened up in coming months, an advocate said at a local Disability Forum on Wednesday.
The forum was held to mark the 18th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which will occur Saturday.
"People still report lack of access to their favorite restaurants and main street stores," said Robin Jones, director of the Great Lakes ADA Center. "You cannot legislate a change in attitudes."
But Congress is working on legislation that could clarify the rights of people with disabilities, Jones said at the forum sponsored by the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living and its Accessible Cities Alliance.
The ADA Amendments Act was passed by the House this month but now faces review in the Senate, Jones said.
The act attempts to clarify the definition of disabilities, which becomes important in discrimination lawsuits, she said.
The federal government is also considering separate ADA revisions that would serve as guidelines in how the law is applied, Jones said. Those guidelines range from ensuring equal access to jails to providing for the use of golf carts and other motorized devices in public places.
She said people can comment on the proposed guidelines through Aug. 18 on the government Web site www.regulations.gov.
Jones said one of the major issues facing people with disabilities is employment.
"Thirty-eight percent of people with disabilities who want to work can't find work compared to 5 percent in the general public," she said.
On the positive side, she said, a Harris Poll has shown nine out of 10 business executives support ADA. But, "We're still seeing a disconnect," she said. "Where are the jobs?"
Other speakers during the forum at Republic Hall included Will County Executive Larry Walsh, Will County Clerk Nancy Schultz Voots and Will County Emergency Management Agency Director Harold Damron.
Damron told the audience that the Emergency Management Agency is developing a "Special Needs Registry" for emergency situations. People can register on the agency's Web site, www.willcountyema.org.
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