AFTRA Praises Anniversary of Landmark ADA

LOS ANGELES (July 27, 2011) — Tuesday, on the 21st anniversary of the historic Americans with Disabilities Act, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO – a national union of more than 70,000 recording artists, broadcasters, actors, singers, dancers and other performers who work across the spectrum of media industries including television, radio, cable, sound recordings and digital media – recognized the importance of the law and applauds the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) final regulations to implement the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), signed into law in 2008.  Like the law they implement, the regulations are designed to simplify the determination of who has a “disability” and make it easier for people to establish that they are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
 
“AFTRA has a proud history of challenging discrimination against people with disabilities and supporting the efforts of performers and broadcasters with disabilities who continue to break new ground in arts, entertainment and all media,” said AFTRA National Performers with Disabilities Chairperson Anita Hollander.  “From our American Scene Awards®, celebrating employment of artists with disabilities and incorporation of storylines/characters involving disability, to our active role in the creation of the now global I AM PWD civil rights campaign, AFTRA has been a leader in disability inclusion and awareness.”
 
President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation announcing July 26 as the 21st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

About AFTRA
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA members work as actors, broadcasters, singers, dancers, announcers, hosts, comedians, disc jockeys and other performers across the media industries including television, radio, cable, sound recordings, music videos, commercials, audio books, non-broadcast industrials, interactive games, the Internet and other digital media. The 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters and recording artists of AFTRA are working together to protect and improve their jobs, lives and communities in the 21st century. From new art forms to new technology, AFTRA members embrace change in their work and craft to enhance American culture and society. Visit AFTRA online at www.aftra.com.

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