June 23, 2008

Dear Member of Congress:

As faith-based organizations committed to protecting the rights of people with disabilities, we urge Congress to pass the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. This bill is essential to protect people with disabilities from discrimination and to correct the rollback of civil rights that has occurred since the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. As this bipartisan bill moves through Congress, we strongly encourage you to give it your full support.

The ADA promised to be a vital means of protecting the livelihoods of people with disabilities who faced discrimination. Since its enactment, courts have narrowed the definition of disability to the point that the law often harms the very individuals it was designed to protect. The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 attempts to close loopholes in the ADA’s workplace provisions by clearly redefining the term “disability” to require that an individual’s impairment substantially limits major life activity in order to be considered a disability and an individual must demonstrate that he or she is qualified for the job.

Sacred texts from our diverse faith traditions agree upon the inherent value and sacredness of every human being, regardless of physical or mental ability. Our traditions teach us of our moral obligation to provide assistance to those in need, ensuring equal access for all people and helping facilitate the full participation of individuals with disabilities in our communities. We are committed to eradicating all forms of discrimination and intolerance, which alienate individuals and divide our society. We believe that the restoration of civil rights to the disabled community is of crucial importance to this struggle.

The right to earn a livelihood is one that should be granted to all people, regardless of physical or mental disability. We urge you to show your support for equal rights by co-sponsoring and supporting the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. If you have any questions about the legislation or this letter, please contact Kate Bigam (Union for Reform Judaism) at (202) 387-2800 or Amy Aarons Rosen (United Jewish Communities) at (202) 736-5871.

Respectfully,

American Islamic Congress
American Jewish Committee
Association of Jewish Family & Children’s Agencies
Catholic Charities Disabilities Services
Central Conference of American Rabbis
Disciples Justice Action Network (Disciples of Christ)
The Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Hindu American Foundation
Islamic Society of North America
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Labor Committee
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
Muslim Public Affairs Council
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
National Council of Jewish Women
NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Washington Office
The Salvation Army, United States
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
Union for Reform Judaism
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
United Jewish Communities
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops