Workbook final

first version of the ADA in April 1988 in the 100th Congress. After the spectacular Senate vote of 76 to 8 on September

7, 1989, the Bill went to the House, where it was considered by an unprecedented four Committees. Finally, on July 26,

1990 the ADA underwent the signing ceremony at the White House. However, for the majority of individuals it proved

arduous to claim protection under the ADA since the courts interpreted the definition of disability so narrowly that

hardly anyone could meet it. The National Council on Disability developed, therefore, recommendations for an

Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), which came into effect on January 1, 2009. The ADAAA

reinstated a broad scope of protection to be available under the ADA, by making some major changes to the way the

definition of disability is to be interpreted. It extends, thus, the protection of both the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act to

many more people.

On October 8, 2010, President Obama signed the

Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

(CVAA)

into law, which updates federal communications law to increase the access of persons with disabilities to

modern communications. The CVAA makes sure that accessibility laws enacted in the 1980s and 1990s are brought up

to date with 21st century technologies, including new digital, broadband, and mobile innovations.

BJECTIVES

OALS

Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act: To prohibit federal agencies, programs, or activities from discriminating and requires

reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Section 508 of Rehabilitation Act: To require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology

accessible to people with disabilities.

Americans with Disability Act: (1) To provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of

discrimination against individuals with disabilities; (2) to provide clear, strong, consistent, enforceable standards

addressing such discrimination; (3) to ensure that the Federal Government plays a central role in enforcing these

standards; and (4) to invoke the sweep of congressional authority, in order to address the major areas of discrimination.

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act: To ensure children with disabilities and their families the access to a free

appropriate public education and to improve educational results for children with disabilities.

Section 255 of Telecommunications Act: To promote the availability of telecommunications services and equipment to

people traditionally underserved in telecommunications, including people with disabilities. 21st Century

Communications and Video Accessibility Act: To increase the access of persons with disabilities to modern

communications.

EATURES

ITH

DDITIONS FROM THE

ERO

ROJECT

EAM

)

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and its amendment of 2008, Sections 504 and 508 of Rehabilitation Act, Section

255 of Telecommunications Act, the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act and the Individuals With

Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are all to be classified as

national legally binding regulatory policies

. Together they

provide that accessibility requirements have to be respected in all education services, in public procurement as well as

by telecommunication operators, ICT manufacturers and service providers, and that individuals with disabilities receive

reasonable accommodation: