OVERVIEW

Network of 183 independent, community-based organizations in the U.S., Canada, and 14 other countries.

Provides job training and employment services, job placement opportunities and post-employment support.

Strengthens communities and families by training people to become independent, tax-paying members of society.

2008 HIGHLIGHTS

1.525 million people benefited from Goodwill career services.

172,317 people placed in jobs – that’s every 42 seconds of every business day.

$3.25 billion total revenue.

84 percent of revenues funded employment programs and support services.

2,300+ retail stores and an online auction site, www.shopgoodwill.com.

64.4 million donors.

Goodwill Commends Passage of ADA Amendments Act of 2008

September 17, 2008

Rockville, MD – Goodwill Industries International^®applauds the bipartisan U.S. House of Representatives passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act of 2008, which is designed to protect Americans with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace.

Considered one of the landmark civil rights laws of the 20th century, the original ADA, aimed to protect any individual who is discriminated against on the basis of disability. Since its enactment, however, a series of court decisions have unduly narrowed the category of who qualifies as an “individual with a disability,” contrary to Congressional intent. The recently passed House bill would remedy this problem and restore workplace protections to every American with a disability.

“The Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees that individuals with disabilities will not be denied employment simply based on their disability. This act is critical to helping ensure that people with disabilities maintain economic independence and have the ability to give back to their communities,” says Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “This legislation will ensure that the intent of Congress is carried out so that all Americans with disabilities are given the protections they deserve.”

The bill leaves the ADA’s disability definition intact but takes several specific steps to direct courts toward a broader and more comprehensive application of the definition to protect more people with disabilities and restore the ADA’s true intent.

“We commend the actions of the U.S. House of Representatives in passing the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, which demonstrate a strong commitment to protecting people with disabilities from unwarranted discrimination in the workplace,” Gibbons says. “The measure would not only restore the Act to its original intent, but it would also restore dignity and hope to the many Americans with disabilities who want to work."

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Lauren Lawson
Manager, Media Relations (Media Calls Only)
Phone: (240) 333-5266
Cell:	(240) 388-8309

Charlene Sarmiento
Specialist, Media Relations (Media Calls Only)
Phone: (240) 333-5590
Cell:	(240) 620-7703

For media interviews, e-mail Lauren or Charlene.