ACLU Comment on House Passage of Bill that Weakens Americans with Disabilities Act

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives voted today to pass the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 (HR 620) by a 225–192 margin. The bill creates a new “notice and cure” requirement in the Americans with Disabilities Act, which would force people with disabilities to provide businesses with written notice of access barriers that need to be fixed, then wait for months to see if “substantial progress” has been made in removing them. This effectively exempts businesses from complying with their obligations under the ADA and proactively ensuring that people with disabilities have access to places of public accommodation.

Faiz Shakir, national political director with the American Civil Liberties Union, had the following reaction:

“Today’s vote was a defeat for civil rights. This attempt to undermine the Americans with Disabilities Act is a damaging, unnecessary, and ill-conceived effort that should have been rejected by members of the House and should be dead on arrival in the Senate. The disability community should not have to fight through bureaucratic red tape to enjoy basic liberties that others freely enjoy. This legislation further marginalizes one of the most excluded communities in society. The ACLU will continue to fight alongside people with disabilities and allies to vindicate rights protected under the ADA, and we will ensure our 2 million members know where their representatives stand on the rights of people with disabilities.”