DNC Chairman Don Fowler Honors Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary

For Immediate Release              Contact: Bob Sevigny
July 25, 1995                      (202) 479-5110
 
             DNC Chairman Don Fowler Honors 
      Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary
 
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Democratic National Committee Chairman 
Don Fowler today used the occasion of the upcoming anniversary 
of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to reassert the 
Democratic Party's strong and continuing support for the full 
participation and inclusion by people with disabilities in all 
aspects of American society.
 
Noting that July 26th will be the fifth anniversary of the 
signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act,  DNC Chairman 
Fowler  reaffirmed the committment of the Democratic Party to 
the principles underlying this landmark piece of civil rights 
legislation.
 
"Equal opportunity, full participation, employment opportunities, 
independent living and economic self-sufficiency are the core 
principles underlying the ADA," Fowler said. " The DNC fully 
supports the full implementation and enforcement of the  ADA 
so that people with disabilities can continue their integration 
into American society."
 
Fowler noted that the nation has come a long way since 1990, 
when the ADA was originally adopted, toward dispelling the 
stereotypes and assumptions about people with disabilities.
People with disabilities are getting jobs. Curb cuts are 
everywhere. Public accommodations are becoming accessible. 
Telecommunications for people who are deaf and hard of hearing 
is becoming a reality. People who are blind can receive 
information in a format they can use.
 
These are just a few examples of the gains people with 
disabilities have made over the last five years.  As a result 
of these gains, many people with disabilities are able to 
become productive, taxpaying, members of our society.
 
"Sadly, this anniversary comes as a time of increasing attacks 
on the ADA by House Majority Leader Dick Armey and other
Republicans," Fowler said.
 
The ADA was originally passed by a democratically controlled 
Congress, receiving overwhelming bi-partisan support. In the 
Senate, the ADA was adopted by a vote of 91-6. In the House 
it passed by a vote of 377-28.
 
"Regrettably, today some Republicans have stated that they 
wish to weaken or repeal this important piece of civil rights 
legislation.  We strongly disagree with those views," Fowler 
said. "This is not a time to retreat from defending the rights 
of people with disabilities. Working together with Americans 
with disabilities, their families and advocates, Democrats 
will fight to defend ADA against such attacks.  Together, we 
will make this country a place where equal opportunity for 
all includes every disabled person."
 
DNC Chairman Fowler added, "I am pleased to join President 
Clinton and citizens with disabilities across the country in 
celebration of ADA."
 
President Clinton recently stated, "My Administration is firmly 
committed to the vigorous implementation and enforcement of the 
ADA.  No longer will Americans with disabilities be kept from
realizing their dreams by closed doors or narrow minds. Building 
partnerships between government and business and people 
throughout the land, we best celebrate this day by rededicating 
ourselves to creating a society of equal access and equal rights 
for all."
 
Historically, the Democratic party has been a staunch fighter 
for the rights of Americans with disabilities.  In the last 
several years the DNC has conducted an aggressive program of 
outreach to the disability community.  In May of this year, 
the DNC created a Disability Advisory Council to further 
increase the participation and involvement of people with 
disabilities in all Democratic party activities.
 
 
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(Ed.: No statement was available from the Republican National Committee)