As an employer, it is important that you understand the nature of all the laws in place that protect your employees. This is so that you can create an environment where these laws are obeyed at all times, and also so that you can protect yourself from being exposed to employer litigation claims. By investing time in learning about the law, you have the power to prevent costly lawsuits from arising further down the line.
Learning about the rights and protections of disabled people in the workplace is no exception. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is in place to make sure that disabled people are legally protected from shortcomings they might face in the workplace.
Who does the ADA apply to?
Anyone who is identified by a medical professional as disabled is protected under the ADA. Disability generally is defined as when a person is suffering from a “major life impairment”, whether this is physical or mental.
What protections are in place regarding employment and the workplace?
When it comes to disabled people and employment, all people with disabilities are protected from both discrimination in the workplace and in the recruitment process. This means that disabled people should not face unfair treatment because of their disability. In addition, disabled people have the right to reasonable accommodations in the workplace, meaning that they can ask for minor adjustments in the workplace as long as these do not affect the business.
If you are an employer who wants to avoid expensive lawsuits regarding discrimination issues, it is important to put good practices in place early on.