United Ostomy Associations of America

For this news, we are borrowing from Jennifer Jaff, Esq., a good friend to all who suffer from a chronic illness.  She has announced that last week…

“… Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments of 2008, and President Bush has stated that he will sign it.  This is a very exciting development.  Congress has overturned two Supreme Court cases that significantly narrowed the scope of the ADA.  It has make clear that bodily functions such as bowel, bladder, digestion, immune system, cell growth, brain, and circulatory functions, among others, can be just as disabling as the inability to see, hear, or walk.

But most importantly, Congress has said “An impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active.”  This is Congress’s first explicit recognition of the disabling effects of chronic illness.  We have — finally — been heard.

We will learn more about the reach of these broader provisions as they are interpreted by federal agencies and the courts.  But there can be no question that this is a very significant victory for the chronically ill. ”

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Jennifer C. Jaff, Esq.
Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness, Inc.
patient_advocate@sbcglobal.net
www.advocacyforpatients.org