Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990 by President George H. Bush to ensure individuals with disabilities had the same rights and protections as individuals without disabilities. One or more family members who have a disability may experience discrimination or violations of their civil rights because of their disability. For example, an individual with a disability who applies for a job may not be hired even though highly qualified for the position—based on the employer's concern for the costs of instituting workplace accommodations. In another situation, an adult daughter may be unable to take her elderly mother shopping at a local retail store—aisles are not wide enough to accommodate her mother's wheelchair. A young mother is unable to take her ...