American Diabetes Association Celebrates Historic Victory

[admin]

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- (Marketwire) -- 09/25/08 -- The American Diabetes Association applaudsPresident George W. Bush for signing the Americans with Disabilities ActAmendments Act (ADA-AA) into law today. In recent weeks, both houses ofCongress passed this landmark civil rights legislation. Enacted in 1990,the Americans with Disabilities Act promised to be a vital means ofprotecting the interests of people who are treated unfairly because oftheir diabetes. However, a series of Supreme Court decisions severelynarrowed who is covered by the law and many individuals with diabetes havefound themselves no longer covered by the act. The ADA-AA takes criticalsteps to restore the 1990 law to its original intent to include suchindividuals among those protected from discrimination.
"Today, we celebrate this act becoming law and we applaud the BushAdministration and Congress for taking this critical step toward protectingthe civil rights of Americans with disabilities," said R. Stewart Perry,Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association. "This is a historicvictory for Americans with chronic illnesses like diabetes who will onceagain be covered by this law, and is a triumph for all individuals withdisabilities who want to work and will now be able to fulfill theirpotential. Today, we proudly usher in a new era for hardworking Americanswith disabilities."

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight against the deadlyconsequences of diabetes and fighting for those affected by diabetes. TheAssociation funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; deliversservices to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credibleinformation; and gives voice to those denied their rights because ofdiabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes andto improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For moreinformation please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES(1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both thesesources is available in English andSpanish.