Enabling Acts

Unique and moving history A perfect celebration of the ADA s twenty-fifth anniversary. Booklist, Starred Review Rather than a standard, legalistic history of legislation and case law, this nonlawyer author provides an engaging and even chatty account covering the personalities and political machinations that resulted in bipartisan passage of the law. A lively and well-researched legal saga suited to general readers interested in current events and disability issues. Library Journal Lennard Davis s book offers a historic glimpse into the creation of the ADA legislation that has positively affected the lives of countless Americans living with physical and mental challenges.To adequately understand and celebrate this landmark legislation, Enabling Acts is a must-read. Senator Bob Dole Enabling Acts is the essential account of the determined activists, seasoned politicians, and unheralded citizens whose efforts a quarter century ago launched a transformation in American law and culture that still resonates today. Studded with one indelible character and colorful incident after another, this engrossing and well-researched chronicle makes a strong case for the ADA being an enviable, if imperfect, model of legislation and a profound event in history's long upward climb towards justice. Rachel Simon, author of The Story of Beautiful Girl and Riding the Bus with My Sister With Enabling Acts, Lennard J. Davis has given us a valuable history of a landmark piece of legislation, told with precision and insight that takes us from the activist ferment of San Francisco to the corridors of power in Washington. It is a welcome addition to the growing canon of civil rights history, and a gripping read to boot. Clay Risen, author of The Bill of the Century: The Epic Battle for the Civil Rights Act An eye-opening account, Enabling Acts not only tells the insider story of a crucial event in twentieth century history, it does so in a way that inspires a renewed conversation around disability rights in America.Even though I was the lead sponsor of the bill that became law, I learned even more about this dramatic civil rights fight. Senator Tom Harkin (Ret.) Lennard Davis has vividly captured a complex and fascinating story. It is impossible to describe briefly how much the ADA changed my life. Davis page-turning account puts the reader on the ground along chanting disability rights advocates and behind closed doors within the walls of Washington. An important and outstanding contribution. I. King Jordan, first deaf president of Gallaudet University Davis has written a vital book for anyone who cares about human rights, social change, and the empowerment of people with cognitive and physical differences. Enabling Acts reads like a spellbinding political thriller with advocates fighting for the rights of people with disabilities but ultimately fighting for everyone s right to be different. Jonathan Mooney, author of The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal Brimming with memorable characters, Lennard Davis has restored this often ignored or forgotten civil rights fight as a significant moment in U.S. history. No celebration of the ADA and democracy should be without Enabling Acts. Kim E. Nielsen, author of A Disability History of the United States From the Hardcover edition.