Los Angeles Disability Discrimination Lawyer

The Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990. It is meant to protect the legal rights of all Americans with physical or mental disabilities. If you or a loved one are living with a disability, it is important to know what rights you have under the ADA.

First, it is useful to know what exactly qualifies as a disability. Many people think of wheelchairs or crutches when they hear this word, but it actually covers a much broader range of issues. According to the ADA, any mental or physical impairment that affects your ability to function in at least one area of life qualifies as a disability.

How Does the ADA Protect Disabled People?

It prevents employers from discriminating against you in any way, including hiring, advancement, worker’s compensation, job training, unemployment benefits, or any other aspect of work. Businesses are expected to make their facilities and hiring processes as accessible to people with disabilities as they can. (However, the ADA does not apply to small business with under 15 employees.)

The ADA does not require any business to change the requirements for a certain job. For example, it would not be discrimination for an airline to turn down a blind applicant for the position of pilot. If, however, the business could reasonably accommodate an applicant with a certain disability, it is their duty to do so. For example, turning down an applicant who uses a wheelchair simply because the employer does not want to install a ramp is unacceptable.

If your employer is not currently complying with the ADA, you will need the services of a Los Angeles disability discrimination lawyer. Contact Perry Smith at (888) 356-2529.