Attorney General's News Release

July 26, 2000

Nixon to join Supreme Court battle to support Americans with Disabilities Act

St. Louis, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon announced today the state will file an amicus brief with the state of Minnesota to support the enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is being challenged by the University of Alabama. The announcement comes on the 10-year anniversary of the ADA, which was signed into law July 26, 1990.

Missouri is one of the first states to join Minnesota to fight for enforcement of the act as it applies to state governments in a case that will be heard by the United States Supreme Court next term. Nixon said it is important to support the enforcement of the ADA as it applies to state governments.

"State government should be a leader on these issues," Nixon said. "It is not right to say that businesses and others must comply with the ADA, but the law does not apply to state government facilities. The ADA has been responsible for bringing accessibility to government buildings, allowing citizens with disabilities to work and do business in government buildings throughout the states. This is not the time to turn back."

"It's important for state governments to fully abide by the Americans with Disabilities Act as any other employer must," said Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch. "Only through compliance will states start to correct the mistakes of the past -- mistakes highlighted by Congress, which had gathered overwhelming evidence that people with disabilities experienced long-standing, pervasive discrimination, denying them the opportunity to participate fully in nearly every aspect of modern life, including government employment and public services. I applaud Attorney General Nixon for having the courage to fight such long-standing discrimination."

"The disability community applauds Missouri's stand," said Max Starkloff, president and founder of Paraquad, a not-for-profit, non-residential center for independent living serving the St. Louis area. "As one of the first states to join Minnesota's brief, Attorney General Nixon is a leader in taking a strong stand for the civil rights of people with disabilities."

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818