PPS Interview

The Americans with Disabilities Act

Reprinted from Recovery, May 2004

Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. The ADA covers employers with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and to labor organizations. The ADAs nondiscrimination standards also apply to federal sector employees under section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, and its implementing rules.

An individual with a disability is a person who:

Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment.

A qualified employee or applicant with a disability is an individual who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the job in question.

Reasonable accommodation may include, but is not limited to:

Making existing facilities used by employees readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.

Job restructuring, modifying work schedules, reassignment to a vacant position;

Acquiring or modifying equipment or devices, adjusting or modifying examinations, training materials, or policies, and providing qualified readers or interpreters.

An employer is required to make a reasonable accommodation to the known disability of a qualified applicant or employee if it would not impose an undue hardship on the operation of the employers business. Undue hardship is defined as an action requiring significant difficulty or expense when considered in light of factors such as an employers size, financial resources, and the nature and structure of its operation. (Copy provided by the US Federal Government)

For information and technical assistance about the Americans with Disabilities Act

800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TTY)

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday 9:30 am - 5:30 PM; Thursday 12:30 am - 5:30 PM (Eastern Time).

Publications by Mail - ADA regulations, technical assistance materials and publications are available in standard print as well as in large print, audiotape, Braille, or computer disk for people with disabilities. Some publications are also available by fax 24 hours a day. Call the ADA Information Line 24-hours a day to order through the automated system.

Extensive additional information is available at these websites, or see your local telephone book under US Government or State Government.

- The main website for the ADA

- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Civil Rights

, U.S. Department of Labor, Civil Rights

ADA Documentos de Asistencia Tecnica en Español,

If you own a small business:

If you dont have a computer, your local library does and they will help you get this information.

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