McCain backs disabilities law expansion

Speaking to forum, he vows support for proposal to expand protection COTTONWOOD, Arizona - Republican presidential candidate John McCain is pledging support for a proposal to expand protections for disabled people under an 18-year-old landmark civil rights law. Speaking from Arizona by satellite to a disabilities forum in Columbus, Ohio, McCain said Saturday that revisions to the Americans With Disabilities Act must leave no doubt that it was intended to protect from any discrimination based on physical or mental disabilities. The Supreme Court generally has exempted from the law's protection people with partial physical disabilities, as well as people with physical impairments that can be treated with medication or devices such as hearing aids. "We must clarify the definition of a disability to assure full protection for... [read full story]