Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, offers the same protection to disabled people that the Civil Rights Act gave to minorities. In addition to it being illegal to discriminate based on age, sex, religion, ethnicity, or race, it is also illegal to discriminate based on a disability.

The ADA defines disability to be a, “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.” Living with a disability would make life difficult enough without adding unnecessary discrimination in the workplace on top of it.

Different parts of the Act went into effect at different times, and the various chapters deal with a variety of issues. Title I, for example, defines which employers fall under the umbrella of the ADA and how they must treat current and potential employees. It has been expanded, and now covers companies that employ over 15 people.

The ADA covers all aspects of employment, including interviewing, hiring, hours, wages, layoffs, firing, bonuses, and the like. Under the ADA, employers are not required to hire a person with a disability if they are equally qualified as a person without a disability. There are no affirmative action clauses or statutes in the ADA.

Contact Us

We understand that it can be very difficult to continue normal life activities with a disability, even without employment discrimination. If you feel that you have been wrongly discriminated against, or if you would like further information, contact the Austin disability discrimination attorneys of Melton & Kumler at 512-330-0017 today.