The ADA Amendments Act of 2008, introduced by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), would instruct courts to interpret broadly the definition of disability under the ADA.
Following suit with similar legislation that has already won House approval, the bill would make clear that the use of mitigating measures, such as diabetes medication, would not restrict a person from receiving the protections provided by the ADA. According to Harkin, the bill comes in response to a series of court decisions that unfairly restricted the scope of the ADA’s protections.
The bill is gaining broad support, and both presumptive major party presidential nominees—Sens. John McCain (R-Arizona) and Barack Obama (D-Illinois) are counted among the bill’s 60-plus co-sponsors. The legislation may be taken up as early as next month.