Here's the deal about disabilities and the law
Friday marks the 29th anniversary of the ADA — landmark legislation for all Americans. Why? Because placing the whole of society on equal footing is as quintessentially American as democracy itself.
What is the ADA? On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The ADA ended one more form of legal discrimination, opened doors to equal opportunity, full societal participation (including government access and representation), independent living, integration, and economic self-sufficiency.
Who qualifies for ADA protection? A “disability” is defined under the Act as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. In certain cases, ADA protections have extended to discriminatory treatment of people who are related to, or have helped, people with disabilities.
The ADA is divided into five sections:
1. Employment (Title I): Requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide “reasonable accommodation” for, and not discriminate against, applicants and employees with disabilities. Examples of reasonable accommodation are restructuring tasks, making workstations accessible, modifying schedules, providing interpreters, or modifying equipment and policies — all without “undue hardship” to the employer.
Local help: Information (and limited funding for accommodation) is available through local nonprofits such as North Idaho’s Disability Action Center. In addition to helping those with disabilities increase independence at work and home, DAC also advises employers and governments.
2. Public services (Title II): State and local governments and agencies can’t directly or indirectly deny any services, programs, public transportation, or activities to people with disabilities that are available to people without them.
3. Public accommodations (Title III): Restaurants, hotels, stores, privately owned transportation systems, as well as all new construction and modifications must be accessible.
4. Telecommunications (Title IV): Companies offering phone or internet service to the general public must provide a relay service system for those who use hearing and speech accommodation devices.
5. Miscellaneous (Title V): A catch-all for other provisions such as retaliation, other laws, insurance, etc.
The ADA isn’t about special privileges. It’s getting everyone on the same playing field — connecting links in the chain of society so no one is excluded from participation and society can fully function as a cohesive whole.
Each human being is a potential resource to fellow man, with unique abilities and differences that create mutual advantage — if we look for it without prejudgment.
For more information about the ADA’s requirements and benefits, see ADA.gov or contact Disability Action Center Northwest at DACNW.org or 208-457-3891.
•••
Today’s weird word: Frankenfood — genetically engineered foods (informal; combining Frankenstein and food).
•••
Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.