NATION : Rights Law for Disabled Advances

WASHINGTON — President Bush reached a compromise with key senators from both parties today on legislation extending the nation’s civil rights laws to protect the disabled from discrimination.

The accord was announced by the White House shortly before the Senate Labor Committee revised and approved the measure on a 16-0 vote, sending it to the full chamber.

The legislation would prohibit discrimination in the workplace or in public accommodations based on a physical disability, paralleling the 1964 Civil Rights Act that bans bias based on race, sex, national origin or religion.

In reaching the compromise, the senators basically went along with the Administration on penalties for violations, while the White House went along with them on the scope of coverage, officials said.