by Humphrey Taylor

Since President George Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (often known by its acronym, the ADA), in 1990, it has been the subject of considerable criticism from some employers and others who have complained about the difficulties and costs of complying with it. None of this criticism has done anything to dent the overwhelming public support which the public continues to give to the ADA, a historic bill protecting people with disabilities from discrimination and providing civil rights affecting employment, housing, transportation, hotels, restaurants, stores and other public facilities.

A Harris Poll finds that:

• Nine out of every ten people who have heard of the ADA support it.
• Between 85% and 95% of all adults, whether or not they have heard of the ADA, support the key provisions of the law.
• Support for these key provisions is virtually the same today as it was in 1991, soon after the ADA was passed.
• A large majority (75% to 17%) believes that the benefits of the ADA are worth the additional costs (only 17% think these are "too expensive."

These are the results of a Harris Poll of 1,008 adults surveyed between March 19 and 23, for the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.).

Furthermore, a massive 83% to 12% support the argument that "if more people with disabilities had paid employment, it would reduce welfare payments, they would be productive taxpayers and everyone would benefit" over the alternative that "it will be very expensive for employers to hire many more people with disabilities and it will not be worth the extra cost."

Other surveys conducted by Harris have shown that in a number of key areas, including especially employment, people with disabilities have not made significant gains since 1990. However, the public believes, by 84% to 10% that the ADA has "helped to improve the lives of people with disabilities."

When it comes to five specific protections in the ADA, large majorities supports all of them:

• 94% of all adults believe employers should not discriminate against any qualified job candidate with a disability.
• 85% agree that employers with more than fifteen workers should make reasonable accommodations for employers with disabilities.
• 91% want to see public transportation made accessible to disabled people.
• 95% agree that public places such as hotels, restaurants, theaters, stores and museums, must not discriminate against visitors with disabilities.
• And finally, 86% state that government must offer home care services that allow more people with disabilities to live at home instead of in nursing homes.

Commenting on the survey results, Alan Reich, President of the National Organization on Disability, said, "This survey knocks on the head any suggestion that America. s commitment to ending discrimination against people with disabilities is flagging. On the contrary, we see new evidence that fundamental fairness, which is the essence of the ADA, remains a cornerstone American value."

"Have you seen, heard or read anything about a law called the Americans with Disabilities Act, which helps, supports and protects people with disabilities or not?"

Base: Those who have seen, heard and/or read about the ADA

Overall do you favor and support the American with Disabilities Act or disapprove and oppose it?"

"Let me read you some key provisions of the law called the Americans with Disabilities Act and let me know whether you support each one or not."

NOTE:

Percentages in parenthesis for 1991.

* = not asked in 1991.

"Given what we have just told you about the Americans with Disabilities Act, do you think that the benefits of the ADA are worth the additional costs involved or that it is too expensive?"

"Which of the two following statements comes closest to your opinion?" (READ BOTH OPTIONS)

"Do you think the Americans with Disabilities Act has helped or has not helped improve the lives of people with disabilities?"

Mary E. Dolan, Vice President,

Communications and Special Projects

National Organization on Disability

(202) 293-5960

This Harris Poll was conducted by telephone within the United States between March 19 to 23, among a nationwide cross section of 1,008 adults for the National Organization on Disability. Figures for age, sex, race, education, number of adults and number of voice/telephone lines in the household were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.

In theory, with a sample of this size, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results have a statistical precision of plus or minus 3 percentage points of what they would be if the entire adult population had been polled with complete accuracy. Unfortunately, there are several other possible sources of error in all polls or surveys that are probably more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. They include refusals to be interviewed (non-response), question wording and question order, interviewer bias, weighting by demographic control data and screening (e.g., for likely voters). It is difficult or impossible to quantify the errors that may result from these factors.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

________________________________________

8599
Q405-430<