The ADA - What does it mean to you?
The ADA - What does it mean to you? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
is a vehicle that helps the person with disabilities get where he/she wants to go. July
26, 2000 was the ten-year anniversary of the ADA. A main reason for having the ADA is to
bring people with disabilities into the work place. But who is disabled? People with HIV
infection, AIDS, epilepsy, paralysis, diabetes, children with food allergies, people who
are recovering alcoholics, substantially partially sighted or hard of hearing, mental health,
mental retardation, learning disabilities such as dyslexia, persons in wheelchairs, and
more. Who is not disabled? According to The Americans with Disabilities Act Questions and
Answers, page two: "an individual with a minor, non-chronic condition of short duration,
such as a sprain, broken limb, or the flu, generally would not be covered." Furthermore,
according to the introduction of Questions and Answers, "the ADA gives equal opportunity
for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation,
state and local government services, and telecommunications." One victory for the ADA is,
for example, that guide dogs will no longer be subject to Hawaii quarantine. In your job
search, you can be asked as a job applicant questions about how you would perform job-related
tasks, but may not be asked in terms of a disability. You have to be qualified for the job
you apply for/hold and your boss will do reasonable accommodations. They'll do a sensible
amount but they don't have to do more. But what is a "reasonable accommodation?" It is,
according to page five of Questions and answers, "any modification or adjustment to a job
or the work environment that will enable a qualified applicant or employee with a disability
to participate in the application process or to perform essential job functions." An accommodation
does not mean employers have to lower quality or quantity requirements to let you in. And
the ADA does not allow for illegal drugs or being intoxicated on the job. Your employer
under this act must provide you, the disabled, with "equal access" to all the helps and
rights that are enjoyed by other employees at the same level who don't have disabilities.
The information on this Web page is for informational purposes only and should not be
considered as a substitute for information found in CSUF publications. Please consult
the California State University, Fullerton Catalog and the CSUF Class Schedule.
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