ANCOR Concerned with DOJ Withdrawal of ADA Guidance

On December 21, 2017, the Department of Justice (DOJ) withdrew a guidance and technical assistance document pertaining to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) employment provisions. One of ANCOR’s primary policy principles is to uphold federal disability rights statutes like the ADA.  Although the withdrawal of the guidance does not change the existing law, ANCOR understands the importance of technical guidance to state and local governments and private entities like providers to implement disability rights statutes. DD Directors have reported to ANCOR this week that confusion has already begun with providers contacting them and not knowing whether there is a legal change due to the withdrawn guidance (there is not).  Further, the withdrawn technical guidance had included encouragement to public entities like states to review and update their reimbursement rate structures to providers and expand additional funding to providers to help them provide community employment. As a result of our concerns, ANCOR signed onto a letter to DOJ written by over 160 disability organizations sharing concern and seeking more information about the withdrawn guidancePlease find the letter here.