Babylon UFSD

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that aims to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities in various aspects of life.

Purpose and Scope:

The ADA was enacted to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for eliminating discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
It covers a wide range of areas, including employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications.

Definition of Disability:

A person with a disability is someone who:
- Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
- Has a history or record of such an impairment (e.g., cancer in remission).
- Is perceived by others as having such an impairment (e.g., visible scars from a severe burn).

Protections and Guarantees:

The ADA ensures that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to:
- Enjoy employment opportunities.
- Purchase goods and services.
- Participate in state and local government programs.
- Examples of Disabilities Covered:
- Disabilities can vary widely, and the ADA does not list all of them. Some examples include:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- HIV
- Autism
- Cerebral palsy
- Deafness or hearing loss
- Blindness or low vision
- Epilepsy
- Mobility disabilities (requiring wheelchairs, walkers, or canes)
- Intellectual disabilities
- Major depressive disorder
- Traumatic brain injury

Application of the ADA:

The ADA sets out requirements for various situations encountered in everyday life:
- Employers (Title I): Employers with 15 or more employees must provide equal opportunities to people with disabilities.
- State and local governments (Title II): They must follow ADA requirements.
- Businesses open to the public (Title III): Public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation providers must comply.
- Telecommunication companies (Title IV): Ensures access to communication services.