Accord Reached to Extend Rights for U.S. Disabled

The Bush Administration and key senators agreed Wednesday to a comprehensive measure that would extend civil rights protections to disabled Americans.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was approved unanimously by the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee and is expected to be approved by the full Senate.

“This historic legislation will end segregation and discrimination against people with disabilities in all aspects of American society,” said a statement released by co-sponsors of the measure, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Dave Durenberger (R-Minn.).

Disability rights groups have been lobbying to give the nation’s estimated 37 million disabled Americans, including people with AIDS, the same civil rights protections as minorities and women.

White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said Bush favors allowing “maximum flexibility to implement effective solutions” and bringing the disabled into the mainstream “without imposing undue burdens.”

The agreement provides for:

--Federal protection for the disabled against job discrimination, paralleling existing protections that apply to organizations that receive federal funds.

--A ban on discrimination against the disabled in public accommodations, including restaurants and health care facilities.

--Enforcement of these new civil rights protections through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission “and suits seeking injunctive relief.”