HARKIN: OUR UNFINISHED AGENDA
September, 2004

This summer, we marked the 14th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The positive impacts of this law are all around us: Drive-through restaurants have visual displays allowing deaf individuals to place their order outside. Banks have talking ATMs to assist blind customers. Service animals are welcome in restaurants and shops. Many more streets and buildings are accessible.

And, just as important, people’s attitudes are changing in positive ways. We know that this law is making a difference

So I feel like a proud parent – and there are many other proud parents of ADA. But our child is now 14 years old. And like any teenager, it is going in directions we didn't anticipate. It is being exposed to some bad influences.

The Supreme Court has issued decisions that whittle away at ADA's protections in major ways. This spring, we applauded the decision in Lane vs. Tennessee. The Court held that Mr. Lane could sue Tennessee for forcing him to crawl up the courthouse stairs. But bear in mind that, even in a case with these outrageous circumstances, the decision was five to four. In the highest court in the land, ADA hangs by a thread!

In 1990, we agreed to four great goals for individuals with disabilities: equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. Yes, we have made progress. But millions of people with disabilities are still being left out and left behind. So we still have an unfinished agenda.

As long a 70 percent of Americans with disabilities are unemployed – denied the dignity and pride that come with a job -- we have an unfinished agenda!

As long as people with epilepsy, cancer, depression and other disabilities are written out of ADA by a misguided Supreme Court, we have an unfinished agenda!

As long as individuals with disabilities are forced to live in nursing homes and institutions far from home, because Medicaid will not cover attendant services and supports, we have an unfinished agenda!

As long as mental health is denied parity with physical health in insurance coverage, we have an unfinished agenda!

So remember that 2004 is an election year. To fulfill this unfinished agenda, we need to get organized. We need to get mobilized. We need to raise our voices in the political arena so candidates hear us loud and clear.

When we go to the polls this Fall, we should remember the excellent advice of Justin Dart: "Vote as though your life depends upon it – because it does."

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