Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is designedservices that are supposed to be offered to
to protect Americans with disabilities (other than drugeveryone. The local government must make the
addictions) which make it difficult to impossible toproper accommodations.
function normally. This act protects people fromCommercial facilities and public accommodations also
discrimination at work, through public services, publicare not allowed to discriminate against a disability.
accommodations, and through telecommunications.There should always be wheelchair access in malls
Employment agencies do not have the right toand stores. If there are stairs, there must be a ramp or
discriminate against a person with a disability. If you arean elevator. Bathrooms need to provide sufficient
in a wheelchair and you apply for a job and theaccess for wheelchairs and more. A commercial
company hires you, they will need to make thebuilding can be shut down quickly if a disabled person
appropriate accommodations so you can function atfeels there is a violation of the Americans with
your job. They may need to put in ramps, widenDisabilities Act of 1990.
hallways and more. An employer cannot deny you aThe Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is designed
job because of your disability either.to protect disabled Americans that are in wheelchairs
However, the accommodations that an employer isor have other various needs resulting from physical
required to make must be "reasonable." In other words,disability. People who are very short fall into these
if accommodating a disability is cost prohibitive, will putsame categories as well since they often need a
a company out of business, or there is simply nosmaller desk and chair or other accommodations so
available accommodations for a particular disability forthey can work normally. Accommodations must be
the job type, then a company is not required tomade or it is against the law. You can never turn a
consider a disabled person for the job.person away due strictly to their disability or you could
Public and government agencies are not exempt fromlose your business.
these requirements. Public services offered by theIf you feel that you've been discriminated against, then
local government such as transportation via buses orit ought to be reported to local law enforcement as a
railroad lines and more need to provide ways to helpmatter of process. However, in some cases true
and transport people with disabilities. It is consideredaction won't occur unless you file a discrimination or
discrimination if someone is turned away from publicdisability claim in a court of law.