Congressman Cohen Drums Up Support for the Americans with Disabilities Act

Congressman Cohen expressed his firm support for the newbill, which will correct narrow interpretations of the ADA in a series of decisions by conservativefederal courts over the past few years. “These courts have held that things asbasic as liver function, thinking and communication are not ‘major lifeactivities,’ which excludes valid recipients from their rightful ADA benefits,” heexplained.

The courts’ decisions have focused on two aspects of what constitutesa disability – the significance of “mitigating factors” and what qualifies as a“major life activity” – which have made it increasingly difficult for disabledindividuals to receive protection from employment discrimination under the ADA.

“Under the current interpretation of the law, if someoneutilizes so-called ‘mitigating factors’ – like wearing glasses to help you seewhen you are legally blind – they may not qualify for disability,” saidCongressman Cohen. “That’s not the way that Congress intended the law to work,and that’s not right. We’re working hardin committee to make sure that this injustice is corrected.”

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Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, (202) 225-3265 / (202)368-9275 (mobile)

Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, (202) 225-3265 /(202) 320-2817 (mobile)