Justice For All
jfa@jfanow.org
ADA: A Plan of Action
Mark Johnson (Mark_Johnson@shepherd.org) writes:
Following are 10 ideas and contact information on how to protect and strengthen
the implementation of the ADA. More and more of us are feeling like 2000 is a
defining moment for the disability rights movement. Your willingness to
participate in the Campaign and take a lead role is most appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark
1. Implement the Olmstead decision, "Activate your license to change
the system! " Check it out, at
freedomclearinghouse.org.
2. Monitor the preparation of and participate in the preparation of briefs for
the cases taken by the Supreme Court.
a) Twenty-two states filed a brief urging the Supreme Court to accept the
Olmstead case for review: AL, CA, CO, DE, FL, HI, LA, MD, MI, MS, MT, NE, NH,
NV, PA, SC, SD, TN TX, UT, WY and WV. After the Court accepted the case, all of
these and four additional states (IN, MA, MN and WA) signed on to an amicus
brief making the argument against federal court interference in states'
operation of mental health and developmental disability systems, for a total of
26. However, 15 of the original 22 states withdrew from the group, announcing
that they would not oppose the 11th Circuit ruling. The 15 were: Alabama,
California, Delaware, Florida (the organizer of the earlier brief), Louisiana,
Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia. And all four new states that
had joined in support of Georgia's position later wrote to the Court to
withdraw. The remaining 7 were: CO, HI, MT, NV, TN, TX and WV. Contact you
state Protection and Advocacy organization.
b) I need people to go back into their State's history for examples of de jure
discrimination against people with disabilities. What would be most helpful is
either a specific citation for the law or written policy) or, preferably, fax a
copy to me at 215-627-3183. Another way to prove discrimination is to show
widespread (and I mean very widespread) de facto (e.g., practices of
segregating, institutionalizing, and treating as second-class citizens, as well
as other non-written realities) discrimination in your State. Once again, be as
specific as possible regarding references. This history is really critical.
Thank you. Steve Gold ( 125 S. 9th Street, Ste 700, Phila., Pa. 19107,
sfgold@compuserve.com).
3. WHAT: "Don't Tread On the ADA" Rally, Title II of the ADA
and Section 504 are currently unconstitutional in the states that comprise the
8th Circuit, WHEN: February 11, 2000, Noon (Gather), 1 PM (Rally Starts),
WHERE: Arkansas State Capitol, Little Rock, Arkansas, FOR INFORMATION: Phil
Stinebuck (501/623-7700) or Billy Altom (870/535-2222).
4. 2/24, Houston, Spirit of ADA Torch Lighting & Renew the Pledge
Campaign Announcement, Andy Imparato,
imparatoa@aol.com.
5. Spring, 2000, Vigil outside of Supreme Court during arguments, Janine
Bertram, JanineBK@aol.com.
6. 6/11-8/7, Spirit of ADA Relay, Mark Johnson, mark_johnson@shepherd.org. As
you're aware, the Relay serves several purposes.
-It's a focal point for the 10th anniversary of ADA and 25th anniversary of
IDEA (yet to be fully developed).
-It's the focal point of the Renew the Pledge Campaign.
-It's a membership drive for AAPD.
-It's an opportunity to register voters.
7. 6/17-22, Rally and series of actions in DC, remember last year's
Don't Tread on ADA Rally. Bob Kafka,
bkafka@juno.com.
"On June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court held in Olmstead v.
L.C. that the unnecessary segregation of individuals with disabilities in
institutions may constitute discrimination based on disability."
8. Plan a Spirit of ADA event on July 26th, 500 plus cities have already made
the commitment, go to spiritofada.org
after February 9th.
9. Join AAPD, go to aapd-dc.org/, Join
AAPD.
10. Feel free to distribute this message and come up with your own ideas.
Remember Mouth's motto, "DO IT NOW."
Mark Johnson
Mark_Johnson@shepherd.org