Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives individuals with disabilities the same types of civil rights protections that are provided to individuals on the basis of race, sex, national origin, and religion. The ADA is modeled after the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which applies to federal contractors and grantees. In contrast, the ADA applies to private employers (of 15 or more employees), state and local governments, employment agencies, and labor unions. Discrimination in all employment practices is prohibited (e.g., job application procedures, hiring, firing, promotion, compensation, training, etc.). The ADA also prohibits discrimination in public accommodation and requires transportation and communication systems to facilitate access for people with disabilities.

Since the act's passage in 1990, the courts have been working to define the meaning of its ...