California Foundation for Independent Living Centers and the AT Network Applaud Governor Davis' New Position Regarding 'Dare Vs. DMV' Case and Approval of Funding for the Disabled.Business Editors/Legal Writers SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 30, 2000 The State Budget Includes Funding for Assistive Technology Hardware and software that help people who are physically impaired. Often called "accessibility options" when referring to enhancements for using the computer, the entire field of assistive technology is quite vast and even includes ramp and doorway construction in buildings to support Specialists And Ensures That All State Facilities Will Comply With the ADA Ada, city, United States Ada (ā`ə), city (1990 pop. 15,820), seat of Pontotoc co., S central Okla.; inc. 1904. It is a large cattle market and the center of a rich oil and ranch area. After much debate regarding the ADA, Governor Gray Davis today reversed his position regarding the Dare vs. DMV DMV abbr. Department of Motor Vehicles case and instructed his attorneys to enter into settlement negotiations rather than continuing to push this case forward. In addition, Governor Davis approved $60 million to ensure that all state facilities comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. civil-rights law, enacted 1990, that forbids discrimination of various sorts against persons with physical or mental handicaps. (ADA) and an additional $2.25 million for assistive technology specialists. "We are pleased that Governor Davis has changed his mind on the 'Dare Vs. DMV' lawsuit," Patricia Yeager, Executive Director of California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. "This decision, along with additional funding to ensure ADA compliance and recruit assistive technology specialists, sends a clear signal that the Davis administration is a strong supporter of the Americans With Disabilities Act." Earlier in the month, Californians with disabilities demanded that the Governor drop the state's legal challenge for fear it would weaken the ADA. The state filed a request to the U.S. Supreme Court to review the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in favor of the plaintiffs that stated the state violated the ADA by imposing an illegal surcharge on people with disabilities. The legal dispute (William Robert Dare vs. the State of California, Department of Motor Vehicles In the United States of America, Department of Motor Vehicles (or DMV) is a commonly used name of the government agency of a U.S. state which administers the registration of automobiles (e.g., by issuing license plates), and/or the licensing of drivers (e.g. ) arose after the plaintiffs challenged the state's right to charge $6 biennially for placards that allow people with disabilities to park for free at meters and designated parking spots. The Governor's decision to enter settlement agreements is the first step to ending this lawsuit. Should the settlement negotiations progress well, Governor Davis has agreed to drop the case. In addition, Governor Davis today approved $60 million in the state budget for ADA compliance and $2.25 million for assistive technology. The $60 million budget augmentation AUGMENTATION, old English law. The name of a court erected by Henry VIII., which was invested with the power of determining suits and controversies relating to monasteries and abbey lands. will be used to ensure that state buildings are in compliance with the ADA. The $2.25 million budget augmentation is to be used for each of the 29 independent living centers statewide to be used to establish an Assistive Technology Information and Referral Specialist and provide assistive technology services for the community. The $2.25 million budget augmentation also includes funds for the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers to maintain the AT Network website and AT Services Directory database. The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC CFILC California Foundation for Independent Living Centers CFILC Centre de Formation International en Langues et Communication ) is a non-profit organization A non-profit organization (abbreviated "NPO", also "non-profit" or "not-for-profit") is a legally constituted organization whose primary objective is to support or to actively engage in activities of public or private interest without any commercial or monetary profit purposes. which supports the work of California's more than two dozen Independent Living Centers (ILC ILC International Law Commission (United Nations) ILC International Linear Collider ILC Independent Living Centre ILC Independent Living Center ILC Industrial Loan Company ILC International Land Coalition ) statewide and coordinates efforts to remove barriers to independent living faced by Californians with disabilities. The AT Network is a statewide project founded and maintained by the CFILC that provides access to and information about assistive technologies and related services, enabling all persons -- not just those with disabilities -- the opportunity to be successful, independent and productive. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion