The update below is from Sharon Masling, Director of Legal Services, NAPAS (National Assoc. of Protection and Advocacy Systems):

Congratulations P&A advocates!

Thanks to your tireless efforts, 14 states: Minnesota, Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Vermont, and Washington filed a brief with the Supreme Court in support of the ADA in University of Alabama v. Garrett.

In addition, thanks again to your efforts, NAPAS filed a brief with the Supreme Court responding to petitioners' claim that state laws sufficiently protected people with disabilities from discrimination. The brief was cited in both respondents' brief and the Department of Justice's brief, and has been well received by the other lawyers involved in the Garrett effort. Moreover, much of the research conducted by the P&As made its way into the parties' brief and the amici briefs.

Copies of the states' brief and the NAPAS brief will soon be posted, along with the parties' briefs, on the NAPAS website www.protectionandadvocacy.com. If you're interested in reviewing the other amicus briefs filed in this case, they will soon be posted on the Bazelon Center's website, www.bazelon.org.

Oral argument in Garrett is scheduled for October 11, and a decision should come down in early 2001. On October 3, disability advocates will hold a March for Justice in support of the ADA. See www.tash.org/marchforjustice/index.htm.

This case has shown what the disability community can do when it works together toward a common goal. � As many people have commented, we could not have made a better presentation to the Supreme Court. Thanks, again, for all your contributions.

Sharon Masling
Director of Legal Services