During the negoations, my organization was one of the member organization in the coalition for the ADA restoration act. In the process i was involved in the negotation process and I heard from the private sector that the ADA will result in economic hardship on private buisness. These buisness are cutting thier own throats indirectly through not supporting the ADA. On the topical side of the economic picture, I would often tell businesses associations the cost of not hiring these people with disabilities costs not only the tax payer but buisness in the long run by taking people out of the economic picture and taking a person with disability the option of buying at stores.
The US Government spends billions in disability payments from SSDI and SSI. These billions are compunded by expanded medicare taxes and Medicade. Traditionally, people who have private health insurance are covered by employers therefore, this nation has spent trillions on us, and it's about time private sector give us dignity and allow us to work and have careers and allow the government to do what it's supposed to and that is insure our rights to work, recieve accomodations and become a part of the American Dream.
Employed private sector pwd's making taxpayers and use less governmental services which would free up more capitol for pwd's to recieve job training, attend colleges and universities and reduce the defict. No doubt, we are politically safe the the current ADA since it was restored. However, my biggest fear is the courts are going to try and ignore it's intent as it did in the past.
Thanks,
Philip B Kirschner
Former NAMI board of director
Current Candidate for Executive Director
NM Governors commision for people with Disabilities.