Ehrlich on Washington column, August 11, 2002

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Rood, Suit* 304 UriharriNo, Morylond 21093 315 Cannon Houi* Office Building Woihinglon, D.C 20515 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON Week of August 1 1 , 2002 By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Celebrating Twelve Years of Equal Opportunity On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush said, “We must not and will not rest until every American with a dream has the means to achieve it.” With that proclamation, President Bush signed into law one of the most successful civil rights laws in American history, The Americans with Disabilities Act. Since then, the ADA has opened doors to opportunities for more than 50 million disabled Americans. Most importantly, it has strengthened my long-held belief that Americans must be judged by their abilities, not their disabilities. Specifically, the ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against a qualified employment candidate based on disability. It requires equal opportunity in all employment practices, such as recruitment, hiring, rates of pay, and training. To qualify for protection, an individual must have a disability and be qualified to perform the essential functions of the job. The ADA does not interfere with an employer's right to hire the person best qualified for the job. Nor does it impose any affirmative action obligations on employers. It simply protects the freedom and dignity of every disabled American. Last month, President George W. Bush marked the ADA’s 12th anniversary by unveiling the broad new Freedom Initiative to follow in the ADA’s path to opportunity. The Freedom Initiative will further open opportunities to the disabled in all areas of society by increasing access to technology, expanding educational and employment opportunities, and promoting increased participation in daily community life. In the spirit of ADA, the Freedom Initiative will tear down those obstacles preventing the disabled from reaching their full potential in life. I have been honored to work for the disabled community throughout my time in elected office. I am particularly pleased with my long-standing working relationship with the blind community. Blind individuals face enormous obstacles on the path to sustained employment. Not only are they eager to work, but they take great pride in doing so. Last year, I authored the bipartisan Blind Empowerment Act of 2001, which would raise the Social Security earnings limitation for