Jewish groups applauded the enactment of legislation expanding the rights of the disabled.
President Bush last week signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act, which extends protections to disabled people who can ameliorate their disabilities through medication or devices. Courts had ruled since the passage of the original act in 1990 that hearing aids, artificial limbs, remission from a disease and other circumstances may disqualify disabled people from its protections and leave them vulnerable to job loss.
The net effect was to allow employers to fire workers who could compensate for their disability on the job and protect those who could not.
The Reform movement and the United Jewish Communities, the umbrella body for federations, praised the amended act’s passage.
“We believe the ADA Amendment Act is consistent with the Jewish principles that define our moral compass,” UJC said in a statement. “Congress’ passage of and President Bush’s enactment of this legislation is a tribute to the strength of the Jewish community’s advocacy efforts, as well as our efforts to defend the rights of individuals with disabilities.”
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