Depending on your age, you may remember when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990.
While some people never think twice about the ADA and what it can do for them, other soon find themselves learning more about the law and the type of protection it provides.
In short, this is a civil rights law that prohibits any form of discrimination against people with disability in all area of life, including employment, schools and transportation.
The primary goal of the ADA is simple: to ensure that all people with disabilities have access to the same opportunities and rights as every other person.
Over the years, the ADA has changed. For example, in 2008, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) became law. This was responsible for many changes, including the overall definition of a disability.
As an employee, you have the right to work in a discrimination free environment. This holds true regardless of if you have a disability or not. Unfortunately, there are times when this doesn’t happen. For example, a person with a disability could be passed over for a promotion because of his or her disability. This type of behavior is against the law.
If you have any reason to believe that you have been the victim of workplace discrimination as it pertains to your disability, you should learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Once you have a clear idea of the law and how you have been treated, you can then make up your mind as to which steps you want to take in the future.
Source: National Network, “What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?” Oct. 26, 2017