An Overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act

The ADA, also known as the Americans with Disabilities Act, became law over three decades ago; in 1990. It is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against anyone with a disability in any area of public life, including private places that are open to the general public, public places, transportation, schools, and jobs.

The aim of this legislation is to make sure that individuals with disabilities get to have the same opportunities and rights as everyone else.

The Americans with Disabilities Act gives civil rights protections to people with disabilities, comparable to those given to people on the basis of religion, age, national origin, sex, color, and race. It ensures that there is equal opportunity for people with disabilities in terms of telecommunications, local government services, state government services, transportation, employment, and public accommodations.

There are five sections of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which relate to different parts of public life, and we will take a look at them all below.

Tier I: Employment

This has been created to help individuals with disabilities access the same employment benefits and opportunities available to those who do not have a disability.

Employers need to supply reasonable accommodations to qualified employees or applicants. A reasonable accommodation is any alteration or modification to a work environment or job that will enable an employee or applicant with a disability to participate in the job application process or perform critical job functions.