Monday, July 7, 2008 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 3 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT Bill to widen scope of disability laws Effects will likely be minimal on campus By CHARLES GREGG-GEIST Daily News Editor A bill to update the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, now under consideration in the U.S. Sen- ate, may have major repercussions for employers across the country. But it appears the legislation will have very little effect on the University. The Americans with Disabili- ties Amendment Act, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives two weeks ago, would expand the definition of a disability and require accommodations be made even for employees with disabilities that can be mitigated. The bill would reject a number of court rulings that narrowed the definition of a disability and elimi- nate language in the original law that limited protections. Courts have denied disability protection for employees with conditions including cancer and epilepsy because their diseases were in remission or could be managed through medication. The new law would define a disability as anything that "materially restricts" a "major life activity," including think- ing, communicating, learning and bodily functions. Under the ADA, employers are required to provide "reasonable accommo- dation" to employees with dis- abilities and universities must do the same for students. The University's anti-discrim- ination policies say this includes providing students with note- taking services, large and Braille text reading materials, American Sign Language interpreters and extra time on tests. If signed into law, the bill would require some changes to University disability and non- discrimination policies. Such changes could broaden the ser- vices the University provides employees, but Anthony Wales- by, director of the Office of Insti- tutional Equity, said it's too soon to tell. Walesby said he couldn't be sure what effects the new law would have because accom- modations under the ADA are determined on a case-by-case basis. In addition, the Univer- sity has no way of identifying students or employees who might be eligible for assistance. Individu- als must come forward and request accommodation. The law probably wouldn't have a significant effect on stu- dents because the University pro- vides more accommodations than required by the ADA, Walesby said. Sam Goodin, director of the University's Office of Services for Students with Disabilities, said there are other reasons the legislation may not have a large impact on the University. Most of the 920 students SSWD works with have learning dis- abilities, the protections for which have remained mostly intact since the ADA's passage in 1990, he said. Goodin said it's generally easier to accommodate students than employees. A deaf student may need no more aid than for OCIA] tionl OrS Ay 11-3 ,200 SCHEDULE... Fri. July 11th 5PM - 8PM Sat. July 12th 10AM - 9PR Sun. July 13th 10AM - 2PA another student to photocopy their notes after each lecture, whereas a deaf employee would need many other accommodations. "The most common accommoda- tions that we request is a little more time to complete tests," he said. "It's just a different world from when you're employing someone 40 hours a week." Lawmakers supporting the legis- lation, which passed the House 402- 17, said it would restore the intent behind the ADA, which they said has been eroded over the last 18 years. "We make it clear today that a cramped reading of disability rights will be replaced with a definition that is broad and fair," said Rep. Steny Hoyer, the Maryland Demo- crat who sponsored the bill, speak- ing on the House floor. "This bill will ensure that the courts no longer misinterpret who the ADA is meant to cover," said Con- gressman John Dingell, a Democrat whose districtincludes AnnArbor,in a written statement. "(It) will make clear that no one with disabilities will be subject to discrimination." Car RepaI r. " compJet'itiV rit~s " F1~ TzC- axi bacdeto cawt.s * E awL4 oWecd - 30 Uears Professional Automative ProAutoTChS.COm SR . Techniclans 734.665.9707 The Driving Force in Auto Repairm I College edLofts.com LIST PARTY anizing Conference X *Ann Arbor Michigan JOIN US AT... The ICC Education Center 1522 Hill St. Ann Arbor, Ml M (Behind the Luther M Cooperative House) I PLENARYSESSION: SATURDAY 11:30 AM.- 1:30PM... Electoral Action as an Organizing Tool. Meet Socialist Party Presidential Candidate Brian Moore and Socialist Candidates Running for Office in Michigan. WORKSHOPS... *The Nuts and Bolts of SP and Coalition Organizing * Marxism 101 * Working with the Peace and Justice Movement *,The U.S. and World Economy * Analyzing Capitalism Closely * Politics and Movements in Latin America * Animal Rights * Socialist Feminist Organizing * LGBTQ Liberation * How Open Source/Free Software In Organizing Efforts * Organizing for Healthcare * Electoral Alliances and Regroupment * Breaking Down the Walls: A Look at U.S. Immigration Policy SPECIAL EVENT... Howard Zaiw's Award-Winning Play... MARX IN SOHO ai Saturday, July 12w*7:00PM MOM directed by 0HLV , Michael Fox Kennedy with Jerry Levy as Karl Marx at the ICC Conference Location For more info and a complete listing of workshops visit www.socialistparty-usa.org/natconf2008