What Is The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)?

Submitted by Elizabeth on

American workers with disabilities have workplace protections to ensure that they are treated fairly by employers. The Americans With Disabilities Act is a Federal employment law that was created to protect vulnerable employees with disabilities from unlawful termination and other workplace abuses.  

What Is The Americans With Disabilities Act?  

Before the Americans With Disabilities Act was passed in 1990 employers weren’t required by law to make accommodations that would allow disabled employees to continue to work. Many people with disabilities were unfairly targeted for harassment and discrimination. And many were fired from their jobs because the employers didn’t want to provide basic accommodations like allowing an employee to sit instead of stand at work. 

The ADA also was responsible for requiring that employers make their buildings accessible to all employees.  

Some important things that everyone should know about the Americans With Disabilities Act are:

  • To prevent hiring and workplace discrimination against people with disabilities, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990.
  • The ADA applies to all private businesses with 15 or more employees.
  • The ADA covers government employers, employment agencies, and labor unions.
  • By mandating automatic doorways, ramps, and elevators to accommodate wheelchairs in businesses and public places, the ADA increased mobility and accessibility for disabled people. 

Why is the ADA Important?  

The ADA is important because it protects the rights of disabled workers. It also ensures that people who are disabled but still able to work can work. Because of the requirements of the ADA employers must make reasonable accommodations that will allow people who have illnesses or medical conditions that are serious to work. That means fewer people will need to rely on Social Security disability benefits.  

The ADA allows disabled people who are able to work the independence of being able to make a living and pay for their living expenses. It makes it possible for disabled people to continue to do the work that they were educated or trained to do and that they care about.  

How Does the ADA Impact Disability Benefits? 

The ADA helps people that are experiencing a disability get accommodations at work. Reasonable accommodations can take the stress and hardship out of jobs for people with disabilities. 

However, if you have a medical condition that is disabling, and you can’t work even with reasonable accommodations as outlined by the ADA, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Disability benefits can help people who can’t work pay for living and medical expenses.  

Get Help With Your SSD Claim 

If you’re thinking about filing a claim for Social Security disability benefits because you are disabled and can’t work, you should speak with a disability attorney in your area before filing a claim. An experienced Social Security disability lawyer can help you by answering your questions, helping you gather medical evidence, and helping to make sure your claim is complete before you submit it to the Social Security Administration (SSA). To get connected and speak with a disability attorney today—and at absolutely zero cost to you—fill out the Free Case Evaluation form on this page right now. 

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