Dean Celebrates Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement commemorating the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act:

“Today we celebrate the 16th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, landmark legislation that promised fundamental and inherent rights for millions of Americans with disabilities. In 1990, lawmakers from both political parties came together to advance a vision of America that works to ensure equal opportunity, full participation in society, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. In the process, they enhanced our communities in fundamental ways. From curb cuts and ramps that help parents pushing strollers, to the jobs created by the national effort to implement the ADA, all Americans have benefited in some way from this law.

“Sadly, this year’s celebration of this important accomplishment is tinged with a hint of sadness over the fact that the bi-partisan commitment to ensuring opportunity for all Americans that made the ADA possible has eroded. Today’s Republican Party has backed away from those ideals, choosing instead to place their favored special interests and partisan politics ahead of the national interest.

“Nowhere is this more obvious than in the President’s veto of critical legislation to expand stem cell research, or in the drastic budget cuts that threaten important programs that promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities and support key medical and scientific research initiatives. These actions do not reflect the core values that Americans hold dear, nor are they consistent with the principles on which the ADA is based.

“It is time for a new direction for America, one in which our leaders are once again united in the belief that Americans with disabilities should have every opportunity to fully and completely participate in our society.

“The time has come to recommit our nation to the highest ideals of the ADA. But that cannot happen until we have new leadership in Washington. With just over 100 days until this November’s elections, we need Americans with and without disabilities to engage in the political process, and send a loud, clear message that we will not rest until the full promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act is realized.”