Noteboom The Law Firm

20 Years of the American With Disabilities Act (ADA)

The country recently marked the 20^th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This act prohibits discrimination against a person based on his or her disabilities.

Even as advocates for the disabled honored the significance of this historic act, it remains apparent that the United States still has much work to do in order to combat the bias that exists against those with disabilities.

Twenty years after the introduction of the ADA, which strictly forbids hiring practices that demonstrate discrimination against disabled Americans, those with disabilities may continue to face unfair challenges when seeking employment.

A recent story by MSNBC.com detailed the struggles of disabled workers who had to "hide" their disabilities simply to be considered for jobs for which they were qualified.

With the current economic climate and high jobless rates around the country, the challenges for disabled Americans have only been exacerbated.

A recent study revealed that out of 1,800 working-age people with disabilities, 21% had some type of employment, as compared to 59% of working-age people without disabilities.

Those with disabilities who are not working give these reasons:

• 73% say it is because of their disability;
• 56% say it is because they cannot find a job in their line of work; and
• 37% say they cannot get the accommodations they need.

The sad reality is that many employers are ignoring the law and continuing to discriminate against people with disabilities and 21,451 discrimination charges were filed in 2009.

If you or someone you love suffers from a severe mental or physical disability, contact a Social Security disability attorney who can determine if you are eligible for disability benefits.

Get a FREE Social Security disability guide and avoid the common mistakes many claimants make during their application or appeal. If you or your loved is suffering from a severe physical or mental disability, contact The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. 1-888-234-5758