Americans with Disabilities Act

In order to understand how disability effects employment, you need to understand the function and purpose of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

On July 26th, 1990, George H. W. Bush, signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law.

"The ADA prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation" (www.ada.gov/2010_regs.htm).

The following short documentary discusses the importance of the signing of the ADA into law by people who were in attendance at the ceremony.

 "Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down." - George H. W. Bush (1990)

Under the ADA, a person with a disability is defined as a person who has a physical or metal impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities.

In terms of employment, the ADA offers persons with disabilities protection against discrimination.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency, created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The purpose of the EEOC is to interpret and enforce federal laws prohibiting discrimination, including the ADA.

The ADA protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of your disability. To be qualified for protection, in addition to a disability, "A person must be qualified to perform the essential functions or duties of a job, with our without reasonable accommodation" (www.eeoc.gov/facts/ada18.html).

"Reasonable accommodation is any change or adjustment to a job or work environment that permits a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to participate in the job application process, to perform the essential functions of a job, or to enjoy benefits and privileges of employment equal to those enjoyed by employees without disabilities.

Some reasonable accommodations include: providing or modifying equipment or devices, job restructuring, modified work schedules, and making the workplace readily accessible to and usable by people with disabilities, among others.

Employers are required to provide a reasonable accommodation unless it would require significant difficulty or expense.