In what ways do laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act affect human services organizations?

Which Disabilities Are Covered By The Americans With Disabilities Act?

• I have a question. It concerns The Americans With Disabilities Act (c. 1990) sets guidelines for accessibility for people in wheelchairs and other disabled. But where can you find a ...show more

• Answer:

  The ADA has different titles and there are definitions of who is disabled and covered by the ADA in the first title, but it does not reflect fully how it is determined whether a person with a disability is covered by the ADA or not. There is no list if disabilities as it doesn't have to do with a specific disability, but how that disability, or perception of a disability impacts your ability to interface with what you are doing. A person can be protected under the ADA if they one or more impairments, if they have a history of an impairment, or if they are perceived to be a person with an impairment. Title 1 relates to employment. So as examples a person is protected if they can adequately do the main portions of a job with or without reasonable accommodations for their disability. So it really doesn't matter what there disability is large or small. They could have a very small disability that makes it impossible even with a reasonable accommodation to do an essential feature of a job - like a person who is color blind. Not a problem unless you really have to distinguish color to do your job and there is absolutely no alternative. Or it could be something like complete blindness, but computer technology is able to allow the person who is blind to do the job equally well to someone who is not blind. Title 2 relates to local government and Title 3 to areas of the public like the restaurant you mention. A place does not have to change in such a way that it makes it impossible for them to do business as usual. So a restaurant has to meet the needs of all its customers. To go into a bright restaurant is a choice you make and other choices do exist. The restaurant may or may not have the capacity to dim the lights. They may be able to seat you at a table where the light is less bright. Conversely, it is logical to assume that when you go to a restaurant you can use the restroom. I have asked a restaurant before I make a reservation or am seated if they have an accessible restroom. But this really doesn't answer the question until you actually visit it. I have been told they do and discover that it is not and that makes me furious. What I know is accessible by law and what restaurants owners think is accessible can be miles apart Accessible restrooms are required by ADA law, dimmed lights are not. I could write much more about this, but hopefully this gives you an idea.