Americans with disabilities have their rights protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. But, how does this act work? And what do you do when your rights are violated?
Let’s go through what the Americans With Disabilities Act is and how disability laws protect you.
What Is the Americans With Disabilities Act?
The Americans With Disabilities Act, which is commonly called the ADA, was made law back in 1990. This law aims to protect people with disabilities against discrimination. It’s one of the biggest changes to disability laws.
But, the ADA hasn’t stood without change for all these decades. In 2009, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act came into law as a disability law update. This law expanded the definition of disability to allow for more people to have their rights protected under the act.
Some conditions that fall under the ADA include health problems such as diabetes, cerebral palsy, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis.
Physical conditions like mobility issues, Deafness, or amputations are also addressed by this act. Some mental health problems are also covered by the ADA. These include post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder.
Because of changes made by the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act when it was added to the list of disability laws, the ADA applies to a much wider range of different conditions. This is even true conditions that aren’t listed. The amendment also dictates that employers aren’t meant to ask for documentation of specific disabilities. Instead, they’re meant to provide accommodations without asking questions.
How Do Disability Laws Work?
The ADA applies to any business with more than fifteen employees. So, if you’re facing discrimination in the workplace based on your disabilities, your employer is violating the ADA and may be subject to legal repercussions. However, employees of the federal government are not covered under the ADA, and are instead protected by Equal Employment Opportunities Commission.
An employer is not allowed to treat your differently because of a past disability or illness, such as cancer. An employer is also not allowed to discriminate against people with disabilities during the hiring process. So, if you’re searching for a job you’re also covered by the ADA. That’s why you’re often asked to fill out an ADA disclosure form when you’re applying for a job.
An employer is required to make reasonable accommodation for your disability during the hiring process. They’re also required to do so during your employment. An employer is required to give you equal access to any benefits covered, including health insurance. However, an employer is not actually required to provide specific insurance that covers anything your disability may need, medically.
If you think a company may be violating the ADA, you’ll need to file an ADA complaint. But, that’s not the only way you can protect your rights as a person with disabilities.
There are lots of roads you can take to make sure your ADA rights are respected. If you need to fight back against discrimination, it might be time to hire a lawyer. Look for the best social security disability lawyer for your needs. A disability law firm can also help you out.
Disability Laws: Now You Know
Now that you know about these disability laws, you’ll be able to better protect yourself from discrimination.
Do you need more legal advice? Search through some of our other great articles for more.
