National Association of the Deaf

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) expressed its concerns about the nomination of Samuel A. Alito Jr. for the United States Supreme Court. Of particular concern are Alito’s previous rulings in the area of states’ rights and his approach to federal laws protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and their families.

Andrew J. Lange, NAD President commented, "Deaf and hard of hearing Americans and their families need assurance that Judge Alito will respect the authority of Congress to pass civil rights laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). That is why we are urging Senators to ask Alito specific questions."

Individuals are urged to contact their Senators and members of the Senate Judicial Committee directly through:
http://www.nad.org/alitoaction

In the last decade, the Supreme Court has taken on a series of disability civil rights cases which have had the effect of undermining Congress’s authority under the United States Constitution to pass laws protecting individual rights of all Americans. Those cases and upcoming cases affect every aspect of life for individuals with disabilities.

NAD attorneys have reviewed Alito's rulings in the area of disability discrimination and congressional authority and are not certain that Alito will uphold laws that protect individuals’ rights to participate in society. Accordingly the NAD is asking the Senate Judicial Committee to ask Alito questions similar to the ones they asked Chief Justice John Roberts before approving him.

"It is critical that the Senate Judicial Committee gets a commitment from Alito that he will respect the ADA and Congress’ authority to enact that and other civil rights laws. Senator Arlen Specter, the Republican Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee argued that Judge Roberts should directly answer questions about the ADA," noted Lange. "Senator Specter should expect the same thing from Judge Alito."