| In the United States, laws that introduce | | | | according to their special and differing |
| safety nets against discrimination of | | | | needs. |
| persons, particularly workers, with | | | | |
| disability are imposed. | | | | In particular, in the state of California, |
| | | | the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) |
| - US Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - this law | | | | are protecting workers with disabilities. |
| requires all of the organizations receiving | | | | While the FEHA's provisions are mainly |
| government funding to promote programs and | | | | similar with that of the ADA, the FEHA has |
| services geared towards accessibility for | | | | stipulations that are more protective on a |
| disabled citizens. | | | | number of significant points that benefit |
| | | | employees. |
| - US Social Security Administration - | | | | |
| provides the definition of disability in | | | | - FEHA - while the ADA defines an |
| terms of an individual's incapacity to work | | | | individual with disability if he or she is |
| or carry out "substantial gainful activity" | | | | considerably limited in a certain main life |
| or SGA. SGA means that the person who is | | | | activity, the FEHA considers a worker |
| earning at least a minimum wage or even | | | | disabled if he or she is limited in |
| better. | | | | performing a very important life activity. |
| | | | FEHA's measure of limitation is decidedly |
| The SSA also takes charge of pairing off the | | | | lower to render more protection from |
| SGA with medical conditions that may qualify | | | | discriminating policies. |
| individuals for disability benefits under its | | | | |
| program. | | | | - ADA does not necessarily define "work" |
| | | | or "job" as an important life activity but |
| - An individual with Disabilities | | | | FEHA classifies work as a very important life |
| Education Group - this program is intended to | | | | activity, even if a person's disability only |
| provide special educational support to | | | | limits his or her ability to perform a |
| empower disabled children and youth. | | | | particular job. In FEHA's conditions, it is |
| | | | already sufficient proof of limitation in an |
| - In 1992, the Americans with Disabilities | | | | important life activity when a person proves |
| Act or (ADA) took effect and its main | | | | unable to perform a certain job because of |
| principle is to prohibit employers to | | | | his/her disability. |
| discriminate a disabled individual because of | | | | |
| his / her disability. | | | | - ADA's the specification in evaluating a |
| | | | disability is according to a mitigated |
| This federal law covers all state and local | | | | condition. Thus, when a person with a vision |
| government offices, private employers, | | | | problem is evaluated, he or she will assessed |
| employment agencies, and even employee | | | | on a mitigated status, like wearing contacts |
| organizations and labor unions. If found that | | | | or glasses, thereby lessening his or her |
| an applicant, trainee or employee with | | | | chances of being considered disabled. On the |
| disability had been qualified enough to be | | | | other hand, FEHA evaluates disability in an |
| hired, promoted, compensated and/or given | | | | unmitigated state, which effectively makes it |
| privileges or be accommodated in some terms | | | | easier for a person to be declared disabled. |
| and conditions of employment in the company | | | | |
| but was denied of this right, this act is | | | | The federal and state governments continue to |
| considered illegal. | | | | implement new laws and statutes to ensure |
| | | | that the rights of workers with disability |
| Furthermore, establishments like department | | | | are not trampled upon just because of their |
| stores, malls, restaurants or fast food | | | | limitations. Recognition of the potential |
| stalls and movie theaters are required to | | | | value of disabled workers to the American |
| provide, what is considered as "reasonable | | | | workforce is continuously being promoted, |
| accommodation" for patrons and customers | | | | too. |