Frequently Asked Questions and answers regarding legislative issues of concern to people with disabilities New Horizons Un-Limited

FAQ: Legislation and Advocacy

For a quick link to the FAQ of your choice on the topic of Legislation, click on the question below.

International

Models of legislation and executive committees

We are trying to improve the rights for people with disabilities here in Beirut, Lebanon. Would anyone happen to know if there are any documents with models of legislation around the world, or how to documents in this field when it comes to committees, coundcils, etc.?
Is there information on developing disability rights legislation for countries around the world?

National

State Listings

Wisconsin

In the event that the Wisconsin State legislature changes the law for voting requirements, how do I obtain a Wisconsin state identification card for the purposes of voting?
Are there any organizations in Wisconsin that have experience working with the ADA?
How do I find out about government programs in Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
I would like to contact my state senate and assembly representative. Where can I locate contact information?

I would like to write to my legislators but do not know how to get their attention about the issues I am facing.

International

Models of legislation and executive committees

Q: We are trying to improve the rights for people with disabilities here in Beirut, Lebanon. Would anyone happen to know if there are any documents with models of legislation around the world, or "how to" documents in this field when it comes to committees, councils, etc.?

A: Legislation Handbook is in pdf format from the Commonwealth of Australia, 1999.

Q: Is there information on developing disability rights legislation for countries around the world?

A: See the following guides:
- The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health is a Beginning ICF Guide in pdf format from the World Health Organization. This guide provides a standard language and framework for a description and classification of health and health-related domains for changes in body function and structure, a persons level of capacity(activity) and level of performance (participation). ICF is the conceptual basis for the definition, measurement and policy formulations for the universal classification of health and disability. It is a planning and policy tool for decision-makers. The classification stresses health and functioning rather than on disability.
- Disability rights legislation that has been passed into law by three countries: Australia, United Kingdom and the United States. New Zealand has recently completed the planning process for registration.

National

Advocacy

Q: Where can I locate a disability advocate or obtain free legal services?

A: Each state has a federally mandated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities. While each state system may offer varied services, all of them offer four core programs including Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI), serving individuals with mental illness who live in 24 hour care or treatment facilities, Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PADD), Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights, serving individuals with disabilities who are ineligible under the PAIMI and PADD programs, Client Assistance Program (CAP), serving clients of Vocational Rehabilitation, as well as Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PATT).

To find your state's protection and advocacy system, visit:
New Horizons Un-Limited: Legislation: Advocacy
The Child Advocate

Q: Where can I obtain information on disability rights and rights advocacy?

A: Justice For All works to inform individuals of their rights via an online network in which information from Washington DC and legislative alerts are shared. To access the network, simply join the mailing list.

A: Visit NHU's Legislation and the Law: Legal and Constitutional Rights in which we offer links to several advocacy organizations and offer information about an individual's rights relating to many issues that affect their lives.

Government

Q: Why are there not more people with disabilities in an active role in government?

A: Disability World reported on the "Disabled Persons in Positions of Governance: an analysis" By Ilene Zeitzer in 2005. The report answers questions about what the effect is of having people with disabilities in high positions of governance, but it also explores some of the reasons why people with disabilities are not playing a signficant role in governance. Disabled individuals have only gained access to high levels of governance in various countries fairly recently.

Q: How do I find out about government programs?

A: Look through your phone book and call your local county commission for disabled persons or other appropriate offices.

Legislation and Rights

Q: I was denied public accommodation at an establishment. What can I do?

A: According to the U.S. Department of Justice, "Title III prohibits discrimination based on disability in public accommodations. Private entities covered by title III include places of lodging, establishments serving food and drink, places of exhibition or entertainment, places of public gathering, sales or rental establishments, service establishments, stations used for specified public transportation, places of public display or collection, places of recreation, places of education, social service center establishments, and places of exercise or recreation. Title III also covers commercial facilities (such as warehouses, factories, and office buildings), private transportation services, and licensing and testing practices."
U.S. Department of Justice offers "How to File a Title III Complaint."

Q: I was denied access to a government program. A government building did not have access for the disabled. What can I do?

A: Title II of the ADA examines State and local government activities and public transportation. Title II requires that State and local governments must enable people with disabilities to benefit from all programming, despite the size of the agency or funding received from the Federal government. These programs, services and activities include public education, employment, transportation, recreation, health care, social services, courts, voting and more. The buildings of these governments must be accessible to the disabled and need to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices and procedure in order to avoid discrimination.
U.S. Department of Justice offers "Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Discrimination Complaint Form."

Q: What is the U.S. Department of Justice Mediation Program?

A:The Department of Justice ADA Mediation Program is program that provides an alternative to settling your ADA disputes through informal methods. "Complaints under both title II (public entities) and title III (private entities) can be mediated. Disputes involving barrier removal or program accessibility, modification of policies, and effective communication are most appropriate for mediation. Through its program, the Department refers appropriate ADA disputes to mediators at no cost to the parties. The mediators in the Department of Justice program are professional mediators who have been trained in the legal requirements of the ADA by the Key Bridge Foundation. The Department's program has already resolved many ADA disputes quickly and effectively." For more information click on their website.

Representatives

Q: I would like to contact my state representative to the U.S. Congress. Where can I locate contact information?

A: United States House of Representatives offers an online service in which individuals interested in contacting their district's representative can search by state and zip code and can then send a text message to their selected representative.

Q: How can I obtain information on elected officials and legislative issues?

A: One of the quickest ways to find the names, addresses and phone numbers of your elected representatives on either the federal, state, county or local level is to call or visit your local library for this information.

To find out who your legislative representatives are on the state or federal level. Call the Legislative Hotline at (800)363-9472.

A: Visit our Legislation: Representatives for more information on elected officials in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, state legislators and International Representation

Voting

Q: I encountered difficulty when I went to vote. What can I do?

A: With right comes responsibility! If you encounter any difficulty or access problems, on election day when you get out and vote, report your problem to the AAPD Disability Vote Project or write Adina Topfer, Project Director, AAPD Disability Vote Project, 1629 K. Street, NW, Suite 802, Washington, D.C. 20006 or call (202) 955-6114. AAPD's Disability Vote Project will push for meaningful election reform, continue efforts to get out the disability vote, focus on polling place and voting system access, encourage disability service providers to comply with the provisions of the National Voter Registration Act, and encourage people with disabilities to run for office and to get involved in the political process for the candidate of their choice.

State Listings

Wisconsin

Q:What are the new requirements for voting in the state of Wisconsin? Will I need to have a photo ID to vote in the next election?

A:The new legislation that requires Wisconsin citizens to present a photo ID to vote will not be in effect until the Spring Primary Election of 2012.

Q: In the event that the Wisconsin State legislature changes the law for voting requirements, how do I obtain a Wisconsin state identification card for the purposes of voting?

A:Currently for information regarding obtaining a state identification card for the purposes of voting see the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles website below. The legislation in consideration by the Wisconsin State Legislature to change the law for requiring a photo ID for voting will only change the voting requirement and not how you obtain the State Photo ID card.

Obtaining an identification (ID) card
Any Wisconsin resident who does not hold a valid photo license from Wisconsin or another jurisdiction may request a photo ID. There is no age limit to apply for an ID card. When applying, it will be necessary to provide:
- Proof of name and date of birth, for example, a certified U.S. birth certificate, valid passport or certificate of naturalization.
- Proof of identity (usually a document with a signature or photo).
- Proof of Wisconsin residency.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship, legal permanent resident status, legal conditional resident status or legal temporary visitor status.
- Your social security number.
More about Wisconsin ID cards:
- Cost for original or renewal of Wisconsin ID cards. Original ID cards are mailed to applicants 18 years old or older.
- Cost for duplicate ID cards.
- ID cards can be obtained at any DMV Service Center. DMV service centers accept cash or checks only.
If you have questions:
- E-mail: use their email form.
- Call: (608) 266-2353
Q: Are there any organizations in Wisconsin that have experience working with the ADA?
- A: To obtain information regarding the ADA or seek assistance with a claim you believe to be covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, you may try contacting the resources listed below:
- Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy, Madison, WI, (608) 267-0214.
- Great Lakes Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center, (800) 949-4ADA or (312) 413-7756. Call for a detailed, complete catalog of information pamphlets and forms regarding the ADA that you can order for a nominal charge.
- Access to Independence, Madison Independent Living Center, (608) 242-8484. They can offer advice and answer questions pertaining to ADA, but they have no legal staff.
Q: How do I find out about government programs in Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
- A: In Milwaukee, you can find out about government programs by calling the Milwaukee County Commission for Handicapped and Disabled Persons or
Q: I would like to contact my state senate and assembly representative. Where can I locate contact information?
- A:To find out who your legislative representatives are for the State of Wisconsin go to the Legislative Hotline:
  - In Madison: 266-9960
  - Toll-free: 1-800-362-9472
  or go to the Wisconsin State Legislators website. Click on the link Who Are My Legislators?. You can search by your address, your municipality or locate by map.
  Locate e-mail addresses for your Wisconsin State Legislators by clicking on Senate or Assembly and finding the E-mail Directory for each.
  For general information about the Wisconsin Legislature, legislative processes, bill histories, or other inquiries contact: Legislative Reference Bureau Reference Desk: (608) 266-0341.
Q: I would like to write to my legislators but do not know how to get their attention about the issues I am facing.
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