Disability is not a Hindrance in Achieving a Dream Job

Having disability does not prevent a person from being employed in a job that he or she wishes to be into. In fact, through the Disability Statistics website presented by Cornell University, 36 percent of the United States labor sector was found out to be comprised of employees with disabilities. This just shows that physical or mental impediments are not really a hindrance to someone who is strongly motivated to pursue a dream job in life. 

Breaking up the stated 36 percent, the statistics meant that some 6,612,900 Americans who had disabilities aged 21-64 are currently employed in the country. It is then justifiable for the government to create laws that would correspond to such segment of society. One of these distinguishable laws is the Americans with Disabilities Act

Americans with Disabilities (ADA) This is one of the laws enacted by the United States Congress in the year 1990. President George H.W. Bush signed it into law on July 26, 1990 but it was later amended in January 2009. Under the ADA, employers, co-workers and customers of companies who have applicants or employees with disabilities are prohibited from committing acts of discrimination. Disability under the ADA is defined as the physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Here are some of the specific provisions under the ADA:

·         Employers are prohibited from harassing disabled employees, such as making uncalled-for jokes about the impairment.

·         Employers should make reasonable adjustments within places of work for the disabled employee. 

·         Employers should not treat employees less favorably due to their disability in the different employment processes (hiring, termination, wages, and promotion).

·         Employers are prohibited from directly discriminating against disabled employees or because the employee is related to someone with disability.

·         Employers are prevented from retaliating if the disabled employee takes legal action because of the discrimination that he or she experienced.

In case the discrimination happened in California, the employee may hire a Los Angeles workplace discrimination lawyer to guide him or her regarding the complex process of litigation. It is advisable to seek the help of an attorney who specializes in employment discrimination since he or she is very adept in handling such labor concerns.