Changes to Americans with Disabilities Act signed into law

Legislation overturning restrictive Supreme Court interpretations of the Americans with Disabilities Act has been signed into law by President Bush. The ADA Amendments Act, effective Jan. 1, 2009, will bar courts from considering mitigating measures (such as medications and prosthetics) other than common assistive devices (such as eyeglasses) in determining whether an individual has an ADA-protected disability. The law also will expand the ADA's definition of individuals "regarded as" having a disability.  (Select News, 26 Sep 2008)

• Full text of S 3406, as passed by the House and Senate (PDF)
• Full text of HR Policy Association brief (PDF)

---