Senator Orrin Hatch Recognized for Achievements in Epilepsy Awareness

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), in picture, on the right, received an award in his home state of Utah for supporting epilepsy awareness and education. Pictured with Hatch is Epilepsy Foundation Vice President Gary Berg.

Among his many achievements on behalf of people with epilepsy, Hatch co-sponsored the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008.

Since the original ADA became law 20 years ago, a series of court decisions have narrowed the category of who qualifies as an "individual with a disability," contrary to Congressional intent. By raising the threshold for an impairment to qualify as a disability, these court decisions have deprived individuals of the discrimination protections Congress intended to provide.

The ADA Amendments Act would remedy this problem and restore workplace protections to every American with a disability. The bill leaves the ADA's familiar disability definition intact, but takes several specific steps to direct courts toward a more generous meaning and application of the definition. The legislation would make it easier for people with disabilities to be covered by the ADA because it effectively expands the definition of disability to include many more major life activities, as well as a new category of major bodily functions. 

"This is a historic day," said Hatch on the day the bill passed the Senate. "This bill continues our ongoing effort to expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in the American Dream. Passage of the ADA Amendments Act ensures that the Americans with Disabilities Act will continue to help change lives."