'Justice for All' award for advocates of the disabled

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), on July 21, 2010, bestowed its coveted “Justice for All” last week on five Americans who have distinguished themselves for their efforts on behalf of the disabled. The five were Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-RI); Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA); former Senator and Governor of Connecticut and American with Disabilities Act author Lowell Weicker; President and CEO of Bayer Corporation and Bayer MaterialScience Greg Babe, and best-selling author Edwin Black, for his investigative book “War Against the Weak,” now a major documentary film.

The presentation of the Award statuettes was made in a Congressional House Cannon Caucus Room packed with senators and members of Congress, as well as corporate executives and the leaders of dozens of associations active in the extended disabled community. United States Attorney General Eric Holder gave the keynote address for the invitation-only event.

In addition to the award recipients and Attorney General Holder, a gamut of Washington luminaries were also in attendance. These included former U.S. House Majority Whip and current AAPD board chair Tony Coelho and Dick Thornburgh, former Pennsylvania Governor and U.S. Attorney General when the ADA was passed, were on hand to help celebrate the landmark legislation’s 20th anniversary. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) was scheduled to attend but was delayed.

“We’re delighted to honor Representatives Kennedy and McMorris Rogers, Lowell Weicker, Greg Babe and Edwin Black for their significant work in the political, economic and social empowerment of the disability community as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Andrew J. Imparato, President and CEO of AAPD.

Holder told the audience, “Over the last two decades, the ADA has helped to revolutionize the conditions of – and society's perceptions toward – Americans with disabilities. Many of the advocates and policymakers in this very room helped to ensure that the spirit of this law became action across the land. The AAPD's leadership, membership and network of supporters have been essential in fulfilling the goals the ADA was developed to achieve. Today, your efforts – particularly to ensure that ADA keeps up with advances in technology and that people with disabilities do not have to turn to institutions or nursing homes to access the services they need – will pave the way for continued progress.”

Black’s acceptance speech riveted the audience as he declared that while they “represented the enlightened future,” his work reminded of the “unenlightened past.” Black then contrasted the present-day ADA and related progressive legislation with a myriad of eugenic state laws passed in the early part of the last century to help identify, murder and deny rights to those who disabilities real or perceived. “We will take a major step toward the right light of equality only when we can take that step in unison with our neighbors,” stated Black. After the event, Black commented, “We have only begun to right the wrongs of our past, only begun to recognize them.”

The Justice for All Award program annually recognizes individuals who have contributed in extraordinary ways to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities. In previous years, AAPD has presented awards to top congressional champions of the ADA, including Ted Kennedy, Tom Harkin, Chris Dodd, Orrin Hatch, John McCain and Bob Dole.