MOHAJERIAN LAW American Disabilities Act 101

American Disabilities Act 101

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the bais of disability in employment, State and local government, public accomodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. It also applies to the United States Congress.

To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is percieved by others as having such an impairment. However, it should be noted that the ADA does not specifically list the impairments that are covered.

ADA Title I: Employment
Title I requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide qualified individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from the full range of employment-related opportunities available to others.

ADA Title II: State and Local Government Activities
Title II covers all activities of State and local governments regardless of the government entity's size or reciept of Federal funding.

ADA Title II: Public Transportation
The transportation provisions of title II cover public transportation services, such as city buses and public rail transit. Public transportation authorities may not discrimnate against people with disabilities in the provision of their services.

ADA Title III: Public Accommodations
Title III covers businesses and nonprofit service providers that are public accommodations, privately operated entities offering certain types of courses and examinations, privately operated transportation, and commercial facilities.

The American's with Disabilities Act is complex and companies must be aware of their rights and obligations. Mohajerian's lawyers have extensive experience in understanding how the ADA applies to business and preventative tactics that can help you avoid the costly liability of non-compliance.

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