Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Discussion Board Response

This discussion board post analyzes the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and its significance in ensuring equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The post begins with a summary of the ADA, highlighting its role in preventing discrimination and promoting equal access to employment, public services, and accommodations. The author then explains the importance of the law, emphasizing its impact on reducing unemployment rates and fostering societal inclusion. The post references the case of Lanman v. Johnson County, which speaks to allegations that an employer violated the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Finally, the post discusses the potential barriers faced by disabled individuals, framing the discussion in terms of the 'runner and the track' analogy, and explores how the ADA aims to remove these obstacles and provide equal opportunities for disabled people. The post emphasizes how anti-discrimination laws are changing the mindset of individuals and society.

Running head: RESPONSE TO THE DISCUSSION UNIT III
Response to the Discussion Unit III
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Authors Note

1RESPONSE TO THE DISCUSSION UNIT III
1. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) to enforce it. The ADA is considered to be one of the most extensive
parts of civil rights legislation prohibiting discrimination and ensuring that disabled people
also have the same chances as other individuals to engage in the majority of American life to
get equal opportunities of job, to purchase products and services, and to join in programs and
services of State and local government (Tucker, 1992). The ADA is a statute of ‘equal
opportunity’ for disabled individuals, which is based on the Civil Rights Act, 1964 which
forbids discrimination on the ground of race, sex, caste, creed, religion, nationality or sexual
orientation and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973.
2. Importance of this Act
The legislation was introduced not only to reduce discrimination, but also to lower
unemployment rates for disabled people. Under this act, disabilities include both mental and
physical impairments. The act has protected more than 50 million people with disabilities
after it became a statute. The main goal is to provide the American people with disabilities in
society with the same way of life as others. It also includes public housing and
telecommunication for people with disabilities (DeLeire, 2003).
3.
Many authors are of the view that not only the thinking of the individuals, but the society
is also an obstruction which has sometimes hampered the runner’s track lane. Before the
enactment of the anti-discrimination laws, the individuals having disability were forced to
accept the decisions of the society. However, after the enactment of various anti-

2RESPONSE TO THE DISCUSSION UNIT III
discrimination laws the thought process of the individuals and society is changing now.
Hence, this system is not completely perfect.

3RESPONSE TO THE DISCUSSION UNIT III
Reference
DeLeire, T. (2003). The Americans with Disabilities Act and the employment of people with
disabilities. The decline in employment of people with disabilities: A policy puzzle, 259-
277.
Tucker, B. P. (1992). The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990: An Overview. NML Rev., 22,
13.