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Essay on The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

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The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is one of the most significant laws in American History. Before the ADA was passed, employers were able to deny employment to a disabled worker, simply because he or she was disabled. With no other reason other than the person's physical disability, they were turned away or released from a job. The ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. The act guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, State and local government services, and telecommunications. The ADA not only opened the door for …show more content…

Contagious diseases such as HIV+ and AIDS are considered conditions of being disabled (DeCenzo & Robbins 2005). An alcoholic is a person with a disability and is protected by the ADA if he or she is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job (U.S. Department of Justice, 2006). However, an employer can discipline, discharge or deny employment to an alcoholic whose use of alcohol adversely affects job performance or conduct. An employer may also prohibit the use of alcohol in the workplace and require that employees not be under the influence of alcohol. Individuals, discriminated against because they have a known association or relationship with a person with a disability, are also protected under the ADA (U.S. Department of Justice, 2006). For example, this provision would protect a person whose spouse has a disability from being denied employment because of an employer's unfounded assumption that the applicant would use excessive leave to care for the spouse.
The ADA does not protect all forms of disability such as pyromania and kleptomania. These are considered psychiatric disabilities and can disqualify individuals from employment. In addition, employees and applicants who use illegal drugs are not covered by the ADA. Individuals who engage in the illegal use of drugs

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