Will senators make amends and protect the ADA?

The ADA does not only apply to those that have been disabled from birth. It also applies if you, or a love one become dependent on a wheelchair, or just a leg scooter. The path has been paved for you because of the ADA and advocates as myself.

When our men and women come home hurt from serving our country: the ADA not only gives them the right to move freely around their community, but the right to vocational rehabilitation. It also gives them the right to go back to college, so they can still be contributing members of society.

As we live longer lives the ADA help set the blue print for Universal Design, so the elderly can still get around their communities and stay in their home for as long as they can.

I would hope everyone would consider all of the benefits the ADA has brought to our society. If the powers to be, continue this autopsy they are putting the dollar before people.

 

Source

What Does The U.S. House of Representative Define As "Drive-by Law suits"?

So what is the reality of suing for monetary gain under the ADA, to reminder this is the House of Representative passed H.R. 620. When the House member talk about "Drive-by Law Suit are they talking about work place discrimination, or the lack of accessible at a business? Either way it is not a drive-by process, they are the law make so they should know how long it takes to get something done. For the record it took me less than ten minutes to find the information below and do not have a staff, or interns.

From the sources that I found, One can hire a private attorney at your own expense and you both have to file the law suit with the DOJ. The whole purpose of filing a discrimination suit is to find a resolution to the problem. When filing this type of law suit, you cannot be awarded money for any damages.

If one is not satisfied with the law suit filed with DOJ, you have the right to file a private law suit for monetary gain. However if you proved you have experienced discrimination in the work place. You are entitled to back pay and attorney expenses.

I think this is very open to interpretation and the people that are using the ADA laws for their personal Piggy Bank, they do not understand the disability movement. We are trying to be part of society for the better of everyone, not create resentment.

Q. Can I file a private lawsuit regarding a violation of the ADA?
A. Yes. You have the right to file a private lawsuit in federal court if you have been discriminated against. If you have an employment complaint, and are employed by a private organization, however, you are required to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and receive a "right to sue" letter from them before you can pursue a private complaint. If you are successful in court, you will be entitled to injunctive relief and to recover attorneys' fees. Injunctive relief means "fixing the problem": such as reinstating you in your position with back pay, providing a reasonable accommodation, modifying a discriminatory policy, or removing an architectural barrier. When individuals file private actions, ADA does not provide compensatory and punitive damages. However, your attorney can advise you whether compensatory or punitive damage awards may be possible under other civil rights legislation.

Q. How do I file a Title I employment complaint?
A. Within 180 days of the discrimination incident, file a complaint detailing the discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC will investigate the charge. If it finds reason to believe that discrimination has occurred, the EEOC will attempt to have the employer voluntarily provide you with full relief. Or, once 180 days have passed since filing a charge, you may request a "right to sue" letter. Once you receive this, you may file a private lawsuit. You can file a complaint through the Minnesota Department of Human Rights or directly with an EEOC office.

Q. How do I file a Title II complaint against a state or local government agency?
A. You may file a private action in court or file a complaint with the Department of Justice. You can also file complaints with other federal agencies designated by the DOJ (for example, the Department of Transportation will investigate transportation-related complaints), or any federal agency that provides funding to the public entity responsible for discrimination. But it may be easiest to know that the DOJ will accept any Title II complaints and see they are directed to the appropriate agency.

Q. How do I file a Title III complaint against a private company or organization?
A. Individuals may bring private lawsuits to obtain court orders to stop discrimination, but money damages cannot be awarded. Individuals can also file complaints with the Department of Justice which may file lawsuits to stop discrimination and obtain money damages and penalties.
Be aware that the DOJ will only bring suit where there is a pattern or practice of discrimination, or a violation that raises an issue of general public importance. You may get quicker action by filing a private lawsuit, filing a complaint under the Minnesota Human Rights Act instead of the ADA (which has similar provisions), or by using an alternative dispute resolution process.
Source

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House Votes to Gut the Americans With Disabilities Act to Nip 'Abusive Lawsuits'

Article  

In a 225-192 vote Thursday, most House Republicans and a dozen Democrats passed a bill that makes it harder for disabled persons to sue for discrimination, in an effort to prevent opportunistic attorneys from taking advantage of business owners.

from my understanding, suing under the ADA is not meant for monetary gain, but to create awareness and an environment welcoming to all. To the people and attorneys out for the easy buck, they do not understand the disability movement and do not represent anything I fight for.

Their has been many times a business would rather compensate me monetary then to make changes to correct a situation. For example airlines: when they leave my wheelchair on the tarmac as we take off, or sit me apart from my travel companion, They offer me a travel voucher rather then to come up with a remedy for the next passenger.

There has been many times when I said no thank you, to their meaningless vouchers! To me that is a pay off and not solution.

More information:

House passes changes to Americans With Disabilities Act over activists’ objections  that
Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), a lead co-sponsor of the bill, said in an interview that she has “witnessed too many rip-off artists in California that are in it for just making a buck.”

Here is how your State Rep. voted! 

Federal Law Now Requires States to GPS Track Disabled People Who Use Attendants

Article
The United States government wants to track my movements. They want to know where I go, what I do, and who is with me every day. They’re setting up databases to track people like me right now. When they give the order, I’ll have to carry a special device, and I won’t be able to leave my home without notifying a government contractor.

I do not understand this at all, what are they really tracking here? When you are in the Self-Directed Waiver you are not going to hire someone that is not going to do their job. Nor would your Support Broker let people bill without showing up as with some other PCA programs.

How many people really shop within 1000 feet of your home, why do they need to know if we go to the 7-11, is I want a soda and a bag of chips? I did do a Google search on this EEV program and only thing I could find are guild lines for different states.

Part of many waiver plans is getting out in the community, so does this mean all outings need to be planned, or if someone runs out they get a call from this GPS service to explain where they go? Where is the freedom in that, and I thought it was bad enough when they asked me how often I take a dump?

Stem Cell Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

Restoring Neurological Function Using Stem Cells

Not that I endorse, or would jump on the band wagon for this type of thing. I think it is more of a responsibility to keep myself informed of these things, especially as technology and medicine make advances. Also, the next generation of CPers may a different out look of dealing with there disability.

I do find it interesting that this group are using Stem Cells to "heal" the brain. If this is possible, this seems like a very long and expensive process. Just because the brain can be "reborn" does not mean it will automatically know how it should function?

I known I say, you are a student for life, but at what do you get off the tread mill to be comfortable in life?

Dan Habib Interview with Dr. Cheryl Jorgensen on Inclusive Education

https://soundcloud.com/user-562198250/dan-habib-interview-with-dr-cheryl-jorgensen-on-inclusive-education

In this podcast, film-maker Dan Habib interviews Dr. Cheryl Jorgenson. Dr. Jorgenson is an Inclusive Education Consultant in New Hampshire

Is Inclusive Education the same as Special Education?

Special Education- noun. The definition of special education is a form of learning provided to students with exceptional needs, such as students with learning disabilities or mental challenges.
https://teach.com/become/what-can-i-teach/special-education/

Inclusion Education- The term inclusion captures, in one word, an all-embracing societal ideology. Regarding individuals with disabilities and special education, inclusion secures opportunities for students with disabilities to learn alongside their non-disabled peers in general education classrooms.
http://www.inclusionbc.org/…/inclu…/what-inclusive-education

My 45th Birthday Celebration!

Thank for all of the Birthday wishes, I went away for few days of relaxation and adventure with the two women in my life.  That would be Wifey and Daisy, although Daisy would say she is the true Wifey. Like always we never have a plane, just pick an area and find a hotel for a good price.  I was fighting a cold even though I did not want to say that out loud, so I could still drink.  Be sides I thought hot toddies were the cure for everything.

On the way to our hotel, we stopped for the epic buffet at Hollywood Casino in Charles Town.  After 10 years of going there Wifey finally hit the JACK POT!!!!!!!  We were there at the right time to get the recipe for their Pho soup!!!!!  For the rest of our trip we treated this paper, as it was the Dead Sea Scrolls.

We lucked out with this hotel, because among it's past guess were Lucille Ball and Bob Hope. I stated these names to give you an idea of the age for the hotel.  You would think if it existed during the golden age of Hollywood, then you would be amazed of how accessible it was. I could even get to the basement restaurant with no problem.  After we got settle and had couple drinks, it was snack time.

Sheer discuss because I want what I want, it just was not enough for her.  This was just the start of Daisy's frustration, because she was excuse from the bed for poppy and Wifey time.  If the neighbors did not hear our passion, I am sure the heard the K9 kind. The next day we took our time heading back and even stopped at a indoor flea market, because we could not be too early for crab night at the epic buffet.

This was taken during our second hour of cracking shells, we were in no hurry. Daisy was just chilling, Wifey was happy having crab and Pho and I had a full stomach and drowning me cold with hot tea. That was a good Birthday to me, then I was ready to come home and succumb to a flipping cold.