July 2024 marked the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA was the world's

first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities. ¹ It was strengthened and expanded in

2008, in response to misinterpretation by the Supreme Court, in a bill called the ADA Amendments Act.

Republican presidents signed both bills, with overwhelming Republican congressional support.

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¹ https://www.archives.gov/calendar/ada25#:~:text=Signed%20on%20July%2026%2C%201990,Lawn%20of%20the

%20White%20House

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1991, George H.W. Bush was president, but Democrats controlled Congress. ² Only 8 senate Republicans

voted against the ADA. 3 President Bush later said that signing the ADA was his greatest achievement. ⁴

Later in life, when he became disabled, he was assisted by his service dog, Sully. ⁵

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In 2008, Bush Senior’s son, George W. Bush, was our Republican president. Democrats held the House,

but now were tied with Republicans in the Senate. ⁶ The ADA Amendments Act passed the Senate by

unanimous consent. No one voted against it. ⁷ The ADAAA comprised only one part of George W.’s “New

Freedom Initiative”, announced only two weeks into his administration ⁸ , to expand funding and services

for people with disabilities by increasing assistive technology and universal design, increasing education

funding, and “Promoting Full Access to Community Life.” ⁹

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Of course, these bills succeed based in years of advocacy by disabled people and their allies. But they

succeeded on a bipartisan basis because those Republicans understood, respected, and chose to protect

the contributions people

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The second week of September 2024 was named National Disability Voting Rights Week, a perfect opportunity to think about how the right to vote, enshrined in the US Constitution, is – or is not – honored in everyday life. Each state has its own voting rights laws, which in 2020 showed to be a strength of American democracy.  But it also can cause confusion for voters.  And in some places, the right to vote is under attack.  Here is a FAQ for all your how-to-vote questions, including the rights of voters with disabilities.  https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/voting-rights.

And here is a fascinating blog post from the nonpartisan League of Women Voters, published last year during Disability Voting Rights Week.  Did you know that Fannie Lou Hamer, Barbara Jordan, and other extremely effective voting rights activists were women with disabilities?  I did not!  Here’s to highlighting their contributions:  https://www.lwv.org/blog/voting-rights-heroes-disability-community.

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If you are not a person with a disability, you probably know someone who is. Thirteen percent of

Americans have disabilities that affect their daily lives.¹ Twenty-four percent of Americans over the age

of 65, and forty-six percent over the age of 75, have a disability.² If you know someone disabled, are

disabled now, or plan to grow old in the future, you must vote in this election to help protect disabled

Americans. Tammy Duckworth, Senator from Illinois, thinks it is essential that you do.

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Many people know that Sen. Duckworth is a person with a disability who uses a wheelchair and has

limited use of her right arm because, while serving a combat mission in Iraq, her Blackhawk helicopter

was struck from the sky by an RPG. Since serving in Congress, voting rights for everyone -- particularly

people with disabilities -- has become one of her main issues.³

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¹ https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/07/24/8-facts-about-americans-with-

disabilities/#:~:text=Overall%2C%20there%20are%20about%2042.5,care%20or%20independent%20living%20diffic

ulties.

² Ibid.

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“Voting is a fundamental pillar of our democracy, and our democracy is stronger when every voice is

heard,” Sen. Duckworth has said.⁴ “Your vote is your voice.”⁵ In this election year, you can protect

disability rights by using that voice.

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Disability Rights was always a bipartisan issue. Republican President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA,

and Republican President George W. Bush signed another bill strengthening it. Sadly, the Trump

administration broke that traditional bipartisan support.

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The Trump Justice Department withdrew technical advice encouraging the rights of disabled people to

work.⁶ It halted progress on regulations designed to ensure that the Internet is accessible to blind people

and others with disabilities. ⁷ The Trump administration worked energetically to repeal the Affordable

Care Act and cut funding for Medicaid. ⁸ It acted to “remove benefits that allow people with disabilities

to access health insurance and home health services. Instead of staying in their communities and

possibly working, many would be institutionalized.” ⁹

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Trump also proposed drastic cuts in Social Security Disability Insurance, “the only source of income for

millions of Americans unable to work.” ¹⁰ There is only once voting option for anyone who cares about

disabled people’s ability to live independent, safe and moderately secure lives.

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Even if you are not disabled, don’t know anyone disabled, and plan to be healthy forever, please vote in

this election. Vote to honor and protect disabled veterans, including Sen. Duckworth.

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The nonpartisan League of Women Voters offers other concrete ways to help support voting rights,

here: https://www.lwv.org/blog/voting-rights-heroes-disability-community

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³ https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/from-jobs-to-voting-booths-accessibility-should-be-the-

default-in-america_opinion

⁴ https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-wyden-28-senate-colleagues-

introduce-legislation-to-recognize-september-as-national-voting-rights-month

⁵ https://www.facebook.com/SenDuckworth/posts/your-vote-is-your-voice-with-the-freedom-to-vote-act-we-can-

help-stop-republican/2050869135087025/

⁶ https://archive.ada.gov/withdrawn_olmstead.html

⁷ https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1C022I/

⁸ https://www.cbpp.org/blog/presidents-budget-would-hurt-people-with-disabilities-1

⁹ https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1C022I/

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About the Firm:

McGuiness Law Group is a nationally recognized law firm focused on advancing the rights of people with disabilities through strategic and cutting-edge litigation. We combat discrimination, enforce equity, and expand the rights of people with disabilities. We focus on housing, education, employment, access to government services, and public accommodations. We handle cases in federal and state courts across California, from our base in Oakland.

McGuiness Law group offers unique opportunities for talented individuals who share our passion for litigation and social justice, enjoy work-life balance in a collegial office environment, and produce excellent work with integrity.

Learn more about our firm here: https://www,mcguiness-legal.com/

‍The Position

McGuiness Law Group is hiring an Associate with 5+ years of relevant legal experience. The Associate position is full time or 80%, depending on the applicant’s preference. To apply please email a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Shalishah Patrick at spatrick@mcguinness-legal.com.

Responsibilities

The attorney will litigate federal and state court disability discrimination cases, investigate potential cases, prepare complaints, draft briefs on dispositive motions and other motions, handle all discovery including taking and defending depositions, conduct oral argument, and conduct trials. The attorney will work in conjunction with the Firm’s lawyers and, upon demonstration of competence, become lead counsel on cases.

There is an in-office requirement that will be set depending upon personal circumstances.

Salary and Benefits

McGuinness Law Group provides a competitive salary, bonuses and a benefits package, including fully covered PPO healthcare and a 401K match. We offer paid time off to vote and to volunteer at elections.

Experience and Qualifications

Applicants should have strong academic credentials, superior research, writing, and verbal skills, and a demonstrated commitment to the public interest. California State Bar membership required; pending California bar applications acceptable.

We highly value trial experience.

We seek people who work collaboratively and can adapt to changing circumstances and manage the stress of a litigation practice. We welcome candidates who think creatively about how to expand the law on behalf of the disability community.

Currently at McGuinness Law Group, each employee either is a person with a disability or loves a person with a disability.  We encourage applicants who have personal insight into the experience of disabled people in America.  

Equal Opportunity

McGuinness Law Group is an equal-opportunity employer that maintains a supportive, equitable environment. We encourage applications from all individuals without regard to actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, familial status, family responsibilities, age, personal appearance, matriculation, disability, medical condition, genetic information, political affiliation, military or veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction. We encourage applications from people who identify with historically underserved or underrepresented communities.

McGuinness Law Group provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. Any applicant needing accommodations in the application process should contact Celia McGuinness at 510-439-2952 or cmcguinness@mcguinness-legal.com.

Applications considered on a rolling basis.