Growing Support for ADA Restoration

On January 29, 2008, the House Education and Labor Committee is holding a hearing on the ADA Restoration Act of 2007 (HR 3195). This third such hearing in Congress indicates a growing commitment to this important legislation.

Why We Need ADA Restoration

In 1997, Stephen Orr was hired to manage the pharmacy at a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Chadron, Nebraska. At the time, he explained to his supervisor that to manage his diabetes, he required a 30-minute break for lunch to check his blood sugar level and eat.

After six weeks on the job, he was told that he would no longer be allowed this break. Despite his efforts to comply, his health deteriorated and it became clear that he could not safely manage his diabetes. Mr. Orr explained to his supervisor that to protect his health, he needed to take the break he had been promised. A few days later, he was fired.

In October of 2007, he told a House Committee "When I was fired, I was told flat out that it was because I had diabetes. I never imagined that my diabetes could lead to my getting fired. However, that is exactly what happened. In essence, I lost my job as a result of trying to protect my health and safety even though none of that interfered with me being a good pharmacist."

Unfortunately, Stephen Orr's case is not unique. Across the country, court decisions weakening the ADA have hurt American workers.

  Read more about their stories (PDF).

Expert Testimony

In October 2007, Cheryl Sensenbrenner and Chai Feldblum testified before the House Committee on the Judiciary to make the case for ADA restoration.

Transcript: Cheryl Sensenbrenner, Chairperson, Board of Directors, (AAPD)

Transcript: Chai R. Feldblum, Professor of Law, Director, Federal Legislation Clinic, Georgetown University Law Center