The Catch-22 Of Disabilities Law
January 29, 2008, 7:05pm
Carey McClure, an electrician with muscular dystrophy, made the case for strengthening the Americans With Disabilities Act in testimony before the House Education and Labor Committee. The panel set his testimony to music and posted the video online to spread the word about McClure’s experience.
According to McClure, General Motors reneged on a job offer because of his disability. But when McClure sued, a court ruled that he isn’t protected by the ADA because he has adapted to working within his physical limitations.
“Well, you can’t have it both ways,” McClure said. “Am I disabled or not? If I am, then the ADA should have been there to protect me. If I’m not, then I should be working with my father and brother both at General Motors right now.”
The committee is considering an ADA overhaul bill that, among other things, is aimed at preventing the kinds of court rulings that McClure faced.
Categories: Health, Social Policy
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