From: FREDFAY@news.delphi.com (FREDFAY@DELPHI.COM) Justice For All Truth Team Bulletin Ada At Five Good News, Bad News!!! ADA'S FIFTH BIRTHDAY celebrations provided good news and bad news. The bad news: The major media is still bashing ADA. Drastic changes in public budgets and public responsibility threaten to devastate many of the programs that make our ADA rights real. There is still talk in the Congress of "correcting" the ADA and the IDEA. The good news: Many old friends still support us. The best news: YOU are taking increasing action to communicate the truth about disability. YOU are beginning to mobilize for the future. There is a light at the end of a long, long tunnel. It is YOU. MESSAGES: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly The Good... BILL CLINTON, July 26, 1995: If Congress weakened or repealed the ADA, "I'd veto it in a heartbeat!" GEORGE BUSH, July 26: "Five years ago today I was privileged to sign the Americans with Disabilities Act. Together we brought a shameful wall of exclusion tumbling down. Together we did the right thing." BOB DOLE, July 7: "No doubt about it, ADA can be a win/win for everyone, if we are willing to work together and apply common sense." BILL FRIST, July 26: "The ADA is solid legislation. It has survived tests and challenges in its brief life. It will endure." TOM HARKIN: July 25. "The ADA sends a simple yet powerful message that disability is a natural part of the human experience that in no way diminishes an individual's fundamental right to fully participate in all aspects of society." JANET RENO, July 25: "There are still some people that don't understand what the ADA is all about....They say ADA lawsuits are flooding the courts. They tell tales of allegedly frivolous or fringe cases....Well, they are just plain wrong." JOHN MCCAIN, July 26: "The ADA represents America at its best. Few, if any, pieces of legislation in the two centuries of our history have offered greater promise for so many of our fellow citizens." HARRIS POLL, July 2: 82% of America's Corporate managers say ADA is worth the cost of implementation; 5% say no. 78% say ADA should be maintained or strengthened; only 12% say it should be weakened or repealed. The Bad... ABC-TV WORLD NEWS, July 23. "The Americans with Disabilities Act has not been as successful in providing jobs for disabled persons as was initially hoped....(it is a) major Federal law that put a significant burden on business....Some 50,000 lawsuits have been filed under the ADA." (there have been 650) NBC NIGHTLY NEWS with Tom Brokaw, July 25. "That brings us to NBC News in depth on this the 5th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. That was the sweeping civil rights law that gives 49 million disabled Americans new rights and protections at a huge cost to taxpayers and business alike." THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 28. ADA - "A Level Playing Field or a Quagmire? - the measure is creating a fertile ground for lawyers." THE WASHINGTONIAN, a DC area magazine read by most leaders of government and the private sector in the nation's capital, came out July 26th with a vicious four and one half page assault on the ADA entitled: "Disabling America." The Ugly... CONGRESS CELEBRATED THE ADA by moving toward major reductions in taxes for the well to do, and drastic cuts in educational, health care, housing, transportation, job training and welfare programs that enable us to fulfill our ADA rights to work and to participate in our communities. THE U.S. HOUSE approved a law that would devastate the ability of non-profit organizations like UCPA and The Arc to participate in the democratic process. The big money lobbies would be untouched, but the folks who spearheaded the passage of the IDEA and ADA would be muzzled. *** ON THE CAPITAL SCENE DIALOGUE WITH THE PRESIDENT. On July 26th President Clinton participated in a one hour round table discussion of ADA other current issues with representatives of the disability community, the Congress and his administration. Those at the table included Attorney General Janet Reno, Senator Tom Harkin, Rep. Steny Hoyer, EEOC Chair Gilbert Cassellas, PCEPD Chair Tony Coelho, NCD Chair Marca Bristo, DD hall of famer Rud Turnbull, Diane Lipkin of DREDF, AIDS research advocate Dr. Scott Hitt, Justin Dart, Laurie Powers of Dartmouth Medical School, Special Education teacher Pat Yates, Seattle restaurateur Danny Delcambre, Americorps Volunteer Ronnie Pulliam, Virginia Attorney Julie Clark and Miss America, Heather Whitestone. MOST NOTABLE WAS THE PRESIDENT'S PLEDGE TO VETO any Congressional effort to gut the ADA. He also attacked "budget cuts threatened by the congressional majority that would sharply reduce the services and supports that enable people to effectively exercise the rights granted by the ADA." He mentioned cuts in Medicaid and Medicare, and training for special education teachers. He endorsed funding for personal assistance services "for things like in-home care and going to and from work." He twice asked "what we could do to increase employment levels" among people with disabilities. He asked the disability community to educate Congress about personal assistance services and a "high smart-work, high opportunity society, not a hard- work, low wage society." OUR COLLEAGUES raised a broad range of issues, from the ADA and the IDEA, personal assistance and legal services to health care, SSI and job training. Marca Bristo reported on NCD's fifty state tour to hear the truth about the ADA in main street America: "The law is making a difference. Brick by brick the shameful wall of exclusion is coming down....there's much more to be done." Several participants thanked the President for his outstanding support for disability rights and programs, but urged that he and his administration be more visible in that support. Diane Lipkin: "We are really looking to you, just as you have on affirmative action, to send a very clear, strong message to this country and to the Congress that the ADA will be implemented and the ADA will be enforced." There were about one hundred disability community leaders in the audience; the President remained to greet and have brief exchanges with many of them. This very frank dialogue was democracy at its best. *** HISTORIC BIRTH OF AAPD. On the evening of July 25th Senator Bob Dole joined 500 leaders of the disability community at Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington to celebrate birthday of the ADA and the landmark birth of the AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities. Other speakers included AAPD Chairman, Paul Hearne, former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh, Reps. Steny Hoyer and Major Owens, Tony Coelho, Judy Heumann, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Deval Patrick, Justin Dart, John Kemp and Drew Batavia. The AAPD is a membership organization. It will cooperate with existing organizations to mobilize and unite millions of people with disabilities, their families and advocates. The goal: "To further the productivity, independence, full citizenship and total integration of people with disabilities in all aspects of society and the natural environment." THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, so far, includes Mike Auberger, Nancy Bloch, Justin Dart, William Demby, Fred Fay, Denise Figueroa, Lex Frieden, Ron Hatley, Paul Hearne, Neil Jacobson, I. King Jordan, Deborah Kaplan, John Kemp, Paul Marchand, Ralph Neas, Max Starkloff, Sylvia Walker, Jim Weisman and Pat Wright - with Peter Thomas as Counsel. Still in the early stages of organization, the new body is scheduled to go into action early next year. This is a long overdue initiative to maximize the clout of our infant movement. Its success depends on you! Let's unite to join, to support, to lead AAPD in vigorous action for justice. Congratulations Paul Hearne, father and first chair of the AAPD! To join AAPD write: American Association of People with Disabilities, 4401 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 223, Washington, DC 20008. *** VOICES OF FREEDOM. NCD CELEBRATES ADA WITH FACTS. On the morning of July 25th Attorney General Janet Reno and former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh joined Marca Bristo, the members of the National Council on Disability and an overflow crowd of more than 400 at the National Press Club to celebrate the release of the Council's report on its fifty state tour to hear testimony about the impact of the ADA. Instead of the usual press conference to distribute reams of paper to media wastebaskets, NCD brought live witnesses from each of the fifty states, and gathered a distinguished group of business, government and disability community experts in a magnificent marathon of people proof that the ADA is working. UCPA PRESIDENT JOHN KEMP served as MC. Beside Reno, Thornburgh and Bristo, speakers and witnesses included Reps. Steny Hoyer and Major Owens, Senator Tom Harkin, Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, Keynoter Justin Dart, Harris Poll President Humphrey Taylor, Pat Morrissey, Paul Marchand, Pat Wright, EEOC Commissioner Paul Miller, Nancy Bloch, JAN Director Barbara Judy, Debbie Robinson, Anne- Marie Hughey, Barbara Bode, Mary McKnew, Oral Miller, Peter Blank and several others. Witnesses from the states included Marcia Smith Glasper, CT, Kristopher Hazard and Jock Lijoi, TN, Rachel Cranson, OR, Ann Garner, AR, and Greg Dougan, DC. ATTORNEY GENERAL RENO PLEDGED VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT of the ADA. Former Attorney General Thornburgh, who, as a member of the Bush administration helped to write and pass the landmark law, said that the ADA has not resulted in excessive expense or litigation and that it has been a solid success. He urged bipartisan support and full implementation. Numerous speakers answered the current media myths about ADA with specific facts - often from personal experience. CONCLUSION, MARCA BRISTO: "While Americans with disabilities have a long way to go to achieve full employment and full participation in their communities, the ADA is contributing to real progress." It does not need to be trashed and amended, it needs to be implemented through education and cooperation among government, business and the disability community. The Voices of Freedom Forum was made available by satellite to every US TV station. Video summaries are can be ordered from NCD. Congratulations to Marca Bristo, Speed Davis the NCD staff, to Natalie Shear, Jacquie Sheehey and all who created this useful celebration of freedom. *** FRIST-HARKIN FORUM ON THE ADA. On the afternoon of July 26th, Senator Bill Frist, Chair, and Senator Tom Harkin presided over a Senate Subcommittee on Disability Policy Forum on ADA issues. For three hours disability rights leaders from around the nation participated with the Senators in an unusually open and serious round table dialogue. Both Senators expressed strong support for the ADA, but also recognized that we have a long way to go to full equality.They asked for facts on alleged and real problems. They asked for solutions. They got plenty of both. It was among the most remarkably productive procedures that many of us have seen in the Congress. Seated at the table were Barbara Judy, Jock Lijoi, Janet Tully of Marriot corporation, Paul Miller, ADA co-author John Wodatch of DOJ, EEOC attorney Peggy Mastroianni, Jean Peelen, Dept. of Education, Dennis Hayashi, HHS, Marca Bristo, Justin Dart, Kristopher and Sharon Hazard, Laura Lee Hall, NAMI, Harry Cordellos of San Francisco, Randy Rosenthal of NY, Life After Deafness editor Otto Menzel and Pat Wright. Congratulations to Senators Frist and Harkin, Pat Morrissey, Bob Silverstein and all who shaped and participated in this creatively simple fulfillment of concstutional responsibility. *** SPEAKER GINGRICH ANNOUNCES DISABILITY TASK FORCE. On July 26th House Speaker Newt Gingrich held a press briefing on disability issues. The Speaker's office told us that Washington disability community leaders would not be admitted, however Justice For All chair Becky Ogle and few colleagues appeared. After considerable debate they were allowed to enter to "stay in the back of the room," but "no questions." One of our representatives took one photograph and was told to stop. The Speaker announced the formation of a Task Force on Disabilities. He named six Co-chairs, all Republican Congresspersons: Bill Goodling, Steve Gunderson, ue Myrick, Jim McCrery, John Porter and Mike Castle. Several of them were present. Paralympics President Andy Fleming, a wheel chair user, was also named as a member. Paralympic Athlete Ann Cody and rights advocate Allan Piggott from Atlanta were invited guests. THE SPEAKER SAID "With the help of this Task Force I believe we can channel more assistance to those who truly need the aid and less to government bureaucrats and those who are not truly disabled. Members will focus on removing disincentives to working, using innovative technologies to provide greater independence for persons with disabilities, and increasing opportunities to live and work in the community." One of the participants mentioned the ADA as "needing work," and said that the IDEA will be examined to see "what children really belong in our schools". The Speaker also announced the formation of a 15 member Task Force on Disabilities composed of persons from the district he represents in Georgia. It will include 8 persons with disabilities or parents. *** THE PUBLIC MEDIA. On the positive side, disability rights advocates are beginning to answer propaganda in the media. Attorney General Janet Reno and Former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh wrote a great article published on July 26th in the Wall Street Journal: "ADA - Not a Disabling Mandate." Ed Bennett wrote a fine defense of the ADA "Don't Straightjacket the law." for the July 21st Los Angeles Times. Among numerous other recent authors of truth were Gilbert Cassellas, Susan Webb, Dick Goodwin, Tony Coelho, Marca Bristo, Elizabeth Bauer, Gary Shakerge, Janet Rudolph, Elliott Vizansky, Yvette Mule, David Krane, Alan Reich and David Shore. After being educated by Marca Bristo and others, the Chicago Tribune published a July 26th article, "Disabilities Act Dispels Some Fears, Wins Over Some Foes." Many local ADA celebrations received great area media. Congratulations! BUT THE NATIONAL MEDIA CONTINUES TO ATTACK THE ADA - and local media always carries, and often parrots the national material. While some coverage contains enough positive material to support a claim of neutrality, most often the spin is negative. Credible statistics and endorsements that are dramatically supportive of the ADA are virtually ignored in favor of isolated sensational lawsuits and tired fallacies. The Department of Justice reports a total of 650 public and private the ADA lawsuits in 5 years. ABC-TV reports 50,000. Bob Dole makes one statement modestly critical of the ADA; it receives national coverage. He endorses the ADA three times - Clinton, Bush, Frist, McCain endorse the ADA - and the media is silent. The July 2nd Harris Poll reveals that business leaders think the ADA is worth its modest cost. That made news briefly, but by July 25th ABC and NBC TV were again talking about the ADA's "significant burden on business," its "huge cost to business." Let's face it folks. This is hardball. The national media listens to the loud, sophisticated voices of the well financed lobbyists. And too often it panders to the stereotypical perceptions of its consumers. A few articulate letters to the editor are great, but we've got to do much more. We've got to flood the offices of the media and the propagandists they quote with protests of lies and with positive truth. We've got to be the loudest lobbyists and the loudest consumers. THE SILVER LINING. Getting bashed by the major media and powerful lobbyists has one positive aspect. We are widely advertised as having enough clout to influence real change. That's a big step up from being society's eternal dependent children. Recently we made a particularly prestigious list. UNABOM SAYS: "One of the most widespread manifestations of the craziness of our world is leftism....socialists, collectivist, 'politically correct' types, feminists, gay and disability activists, animal rights activists and the like....a movement thatexalts nature and opposes technology must take a resolutely anti-leftist stance." Watch your mail for a free ticket to the hall of national heroes. *** STATE AND LOCAL CELEBRATIONS THE BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENTS TO THE ADA were the celebrations you held on the state and local levels. Almost all received substantial media coverage that communicated truth. Congratulations! * * (If information about your event is incorrect or is not on this list, COMMUNICATE!!!) - ARLINGTON COUNTY, VA: Congratulations to Kathleen Desmond and the Arlington County Commission on persons with Physical Disabilities. Over 100, Paul Hearne, keynote speaker. - ATLANTA. Congratulations to Marc Henson, Belinda Burrell, Roger Lee, April Calloway. 100 attended reception for ADA. Congratulations to Pat Puckett and 50 ADAPT members who demonstrated at the local nursing home association. - AUSTIN. Congratulations to Bob Kafka, Stephanie Thomas, Belinda Carlton ADAPT, Advocates, Inc. & Coalition of Texans with Disabilities held an ADA rally. - BERKELEY, CA: Congratulations to Gerald Baptiste, Sid Welinsky, Denny Meehan, Michael Donnelly, Greg Moore & Caroline Bonneau. Four organizations held a press conference regarding history, training, technical assistance, deaf community and independent living. - BOSTON. Congratulations to Michael Muehe and Amy Hasbrouck who organized a demonstration at the oldest subway station America - still inaccessible! - CHARLESTON, WV: Congratulations to Joy Williamson, David Stewart, Ron Yost, the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council and Fairshake Partnership organized the fifth annual ADA march/rally. 125 attended. Speakers included Governor Gaston Caperton and Andy Imparato of EEOC. - CHEYENNE, Powell, Casper, WY: Congratulations to Woody Absher and team who organized ADA picnics. - CHICAGO, July 26-27. Congratulations Larry Gorski organized and Mayor Richard Daley hosted an ADA celebration for more than 300. Audrey McCrimon and staff and Jim Charlton organized a successful Access Living event. - DENVER. Congratulations to Robin Stevens and the Colorado Cross Disabilities Coalition. 100 attended a Disability Pride Rally, and 25 ADAPT folks gave access and lack of access awards to a developing business section of Denver. - FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA: Congratulations to Doris Ray, Jim Brooker, Julia Treagey & Lilian Pollo. 100 attended the event. - HARTFORD. Congratulations to Ed Mambruno & Evelen McDonald. 250 attended Disability Awareness Day. Speakers included Governor Rowland & Ted Kennedy, Jr. IBMwas given an employment award. - HATTIESBURG, MS: Congratulations to Charlene Cheney, Alicia Glover, James Black and Shirley Meadows. 40 attended an ADA open house. - HOUSTON. Congratulations to Amy Armstrong, Joanne Long, Tony Koosis and Sandra Bookman gathered more than 500. - INDIANAPOLIS. Congratulations to Suellen Jackson-Boner, Chris Dahlberg, Nancy Griffin & Sandra Leek. 200 attended celebration with Governor's Proclamation. - JACKSON, MS: Congratulations to Christy Gilliland, Shirley Tipton & Patrice Brumfield. 25 advocates and all media attended a press conference. - LOMBARD, IL: Congratulations to Janice Dugan & Ann Ford. 100 attended ADA Open House. - MEMPHIS. Congratulations to Chris Coley and Suzanne Stringfellow. - MIAMI. Congratulations to Sylvia Mercer, Dr. Dianne Richardson & Pat Erwin organized a week-long exhibit of ADA displays, disability services and independent living. - MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL. Congratulations to Margot Imdieke, Lee Parish, Eric Peterson, Craig Dunn, Susan Asplund & Katie Knips. Annual ADA picnic and festival. - MONTPELIER, VT: Congratulations to Patrick Logue & Henrietta Jordan. 50 advocates and 3 State Senators attended ADA birthday party covered by all 3 news stations. - MYSTIC, CT: Congratulations to Caroline Newcombe, Gail Taylor, Martha Creasy & Sue LaChance. 15 gathered to celebrate access to Old Mystic Village. - NEW HAVEN, CT: Congratulations to Marc Gallucci. An ADA breakfast and reception the New Haven Coliseum. - NEW YORK CITY, July 22. Congratulations to Naomi Bodo, Gerry and Ellen Nuzzi, Jessica Mayer and many others organized the fifth annual Independence Day March an Rally attended by more than 1,000 patriots. Speakers and performers included Mayor Rudi Guiliani, Congressman Major Owens, Pete Seeger, Mike Auberger, Jim Weisman, Paul Miller, Geri Jewel, Rick Douglas and Justin Dart. National media. - OAK PARK, IL: Congratulations to Mark Pasquesi, Mark Karlen and the Progress CIL staff organized an ADA picnic. - OXFORD, MS: Congratulations to Zane Davis, Jack Fudge, Beverly Randle, Thelma Lewis. 100 attended an Open House. - PHILADELPHIA. Congratulations to Dianne Nelson Bryen, Lisa Sonneborn, Carol Martisi, Sieglinde Shapiro. 250 attended the ADA "Cele-fest" & "Info-fest." - PHOENIX. Congratulations to Donna Redford, Mary Slaughter, Dianne Skay, Donna Noland & Gerry Dalrymple. 200 attended ADA Celebration at the capitol. "ADA Here To Stay." - PORTLAND, OR: Congratulations to Joan Rowe who organized an ADA Information & Awareness Fair. - SAN DIEGO. Congratulations to Bill Stothers, Cyndi Jones, Jessica Battaglia, Royce Hamrick, Betty Bacon, Veronica Baker, Delores Thompson. 750 attended. Speakers included Judy Heumann, Mayor Susan Golding. - SANTA FE, NM: Congratulations to Doug Koehner, Dave Arms & Dave Griffiths. 50 people attended an ADA celebration. Covered by 2 TV stations. - SEATTLE. Congratulations to Kerry Klockner, Angela Harris, Pete Alberda, Karen Bermudez, Melissa Kurtz, Jan Zornes, Gene Mitchner organized, performed and spoke. Musicians, booths, 300 people. - SPRINGFIELD, IL: Congratulations to Rob Kilbury and 150 advocates were joined by Springfield Mayor Karen Hasara. - ST. LOUIS. July 30. Congratulations to Max and Colleen Starkloff, Jim Tuscher, Rob Kilbury, Veronica Lieb, Jeff McGarry and others organized a Justice For All march and rally attended by 800-1,000. Other participants included St.Louis Mayor Freeman Bosley, Judy Heumann and Justin Dart. All local media. - TALLAHASSEE, FL: Congratulations to Dottie Taylor, Barbara Bernhart, Marcie Davis and Judge Philip Fougerousse. Speakers, included Secretary of Education Richard Riley, Governor Laughton Chiles, Judy Heumann. - TOPEKA, KS: Congratulations to Mike Oxford. 50 attended their march and protest. - TUCSON. Congratulations to Ken Laux who organized an open house for ADA. - WASHINGTON, PA: Congratulations to Kathleen Kleinman 100 attended the ADA Open House. *** CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO MADE ADA V the best birthday ever. We're not winning the war for justice yet, but we're beginning to fight like winners. Mobilize. Flood the Congress and the media with truth about ADA and IDEA. Protest budget cuts and other change that would limit our right to work and to live in the community. Attend any town meeting held by U.S. Senators and Representives during the August recess of Congress. Use the ADA postcards. Recruit folks to join and support AAPD. *** Thank the national leaders who are speaking out for us. Urge them to be more visible in their leadership. To thank our patriot leaders write: President Bill Clinton The White House Washington, DC 20500 The Hon. George Bush Office of George Bush 10000 Memorial Drive Houston, TX 77024. Sen. Bob Dole Sen. Bill Frist Sen. Tom Harkin Sen. John McCain Address All Senators to: U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 Rep. Steny Hoyer Rep. Major Owens Address All Representatives to: U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Attorney General Janet Reno U.S. Department of Justice 10th & Penn. Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530 The Hon. Dick Thornburgh, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart 1800 M Street, NW South Lobby, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20036. To order ADA, IDEA, JFA stickers and ADA post cards, to offer guidance or report about your activities call or write: Mark Smith Truth Team '95 Coordinator 754 North President Street, Suite 2 Jackson, MS 39202.