SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
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The Americans with Disabilities Act has had a
significant impact on vocational settings by opening them up to individuals with
disabilities. The purpose of the ADA was to extend civil rights to persons
with disabilities. The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of
disability in the private sector and in state and local governments, public
accommodations and services including transportation, provided by public and
private entities. it also includes provisions for telecommunications relay
services.
"The bill addresses four main areas:
Employment
 | Employers may not discriminate against persons with disabilities in hiring
or promotion of the individuals is otherwise qualified
for the job |
| Employers can ask about one's ability to perform a job, but cannot inquire
if someone has a disability or subject a person to tests that tend to screen
out people with disabilities which are not job related |
| Employers must make 'reasonable accommodations'
for workers with disabilities, including job restructuring and modification
of equipment. Employers do not need to provide accommodations that
impose an 'undue hardship on business operations' |
Public Facilities
| Private businesses such as restaurants, hotels, theaters and stores must
not discriminate against individuals with disabilities |
| Auxiliary aids and services must be provided to individuals with vision or
hearing impairments or other individuals with disabilities, unless an undue
burden would result |
| Physical barriers in existing facilities must be removed, if removal is
readily achievable. If not, alternative methods of providing the
services must be offered, if they are readily achievable |
| All new construction and alterations of facilities must be accessible |
Transportation
| New public buses and rail cars ordered after August 26, 1990, must be
accessible to persons in wheelchairs |
| At lease one rail car per train must be accessible to wheelchairs |
| Transit authorities must provide comparable paratransit of other special
transportation services to individuals with disabilities who cannot use
fixed route bus services, unless an undue burden would result |
| New bus and train stations must be accessible |
| Key stations in rapid, light, and commuter rail systems must be made
accessible by July 26, 1993 |
| All existing Amtrak stations must be accessible by July 26, 2010 |
Communication
| Companies offering telephone service to the general public offer telephone
relay services to individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) or similar devices. |
ADA covers state and local governments
| State and local governments man not discriminate against qualified
individuals with disabilities |
| All government facilities, services and communications must be accessible
consistent with the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 |
| Public entities, including schools, must make reasonable
modifications to its policies, practices, or procedures to avoid
discrimination, unless such a modification would fundamentally alter the
nature of its services, program, or activity would create undue financial or
administrative burdens |
| Alterations to existing facilities will be required if the modification is
'readily achievable.' If physical
modification is not readily achievable, then an alternative accommodation
must be found. some examples of facility modification are: van
accessible parking, elevated walkways, lowered drinking fountains, adjusted
shelves and storage areas, volume controls on telephones, installation of
bathroom stalls, and replacement of carpeting |
| Title II of ADA is modeled after those rights and privileges existing
under Section 504 |
| Individuals with disabilities enrolled in public schools may not be
discriminated against in participating in school functions (such as field
trips, recreational offerings or athletic events) |
| Private schools are expected to provide reasonable accommodations and
equal treatment for individuals with disabilities |
(Excerpt from: Matrix Guide, published by Matrix, Parent
Network and Resource Center)
For more information, check out this website!
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