Disability Discrimination Act: The Essentials

Disability discrimination acts have been enacted by many countries in recent years to reduce discrimination against individuals who are disabled. Disabilities include many different physical and mental conditions which impair a person's ability to function in the world. Many of these laws speak to the civil rights of every person, disabled or not. Equal opportunities for all people regardless of physical or mental condition is the aim of most of these laws.

Disability Discrimination Act: The Essentials

In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was enacted by Congress and signed into law by George W. Bush. The act was later amended to provide even further definition as to the protections guaranteed to disabled Americans under the law. Discrimination against disabled individuals is prohibited by this act. It gives disabled Americans similar protections as the Civil Rights Act afforded Americans of diverse race, religion, origin and gender.

Disability is defined within the Americans with Disabilities Act as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity." A qualified disabled person is supposed to receive the same treatment as a non-disabled person. For employees, employers must provide reasonable accommodations to make working feasible.

Public entities and public transportation are also targeted by the act. Disabled persons must be provided the same public services as other persons. Individuals with disabilities must be provided equal access to public transportation.

Public accommodations and facilities are also discussed in the act. An individual must not be discriminated against on the basis of a disability with regards to the full and equal enjoyment of goods, services, facilities or accommodations of any place of public accommodations by any person who owns, leases or operates such a place. 

Failure to comply with the discrimination law can result in costly legal action.

Getting Legal Help

An attorney who handles disability cases can help you assess the law if you feel you may have a disability claim. An experienced attorney can help you figure out if an employer or an entity has done something not in compliance with current regulations. In many circumstances, disabled individuals are entitled to special accommodations to make it easier for them to perform their job duties. If you need accommodations and your employer has not provided them to you upon request, you may be able to assert your rights legally.