Disability Discrimination Act - Civic Rights

  Disability Discrimination Act. The Equality and Human Rights Commission works at making sure there is equality and that human rights are honored and abided by. They work to reduce discrimination against people with disabilities. There has been many changes over the years and there is evidence that it is working. There are more public businesses who have converted their business to make it accessible to disabled people. A good example of this it’s the wheel chair ramps, parking spaces in front of the business, walks and sidewalks, curb ramps, pedestrian ramps, entrances and doors, hallways or aisles, elevators, restrooms, water fountains, public telephones, light switches, controls, and alarms, signs and identification, warning signs and hazards, seating, tables, and work surfaces, and more. States have requirements for businesses concerning the disabled and making their shopping experiences as safe and easy for them as possible.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush on July, 26, 1990. This act is a wide range of civil rights law which prohibits discrimination based on disability. There are some conditions which are not considered to be disabilities so each case is looked into individually to determine the difference. Some specific conditions are excluded as disabilities. Substance abusers is not considered to be a disability. A disability is considered to be a mental or physical disability.

In Canada there is also a form of protection for their disabled citizens. Their Ontarians with Disabilities Act is the short title for the Ontario Government’s Bill 125. This act is to improve the identification, removal and prevention of barriers, which are faced by the disabled, and also to make amendments to other acts. This act is to make sure the disabled has easy access to employment (if they can work), public transit, education, government services and facilities, and other services offered by the public and businesses.

The United Kingdom has the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which states that it is unlawful to discriminate against people because of their disabilities. This law is in respect to employment or the providing of goods or services, as well as transportation and education. This is part of the country’s civil rights laws.

There are many other countries which have their own form of discrimination laws and some may be very similar to the ones mentioned in this article.There is still a need for employers to have reasonable medical criteria to determine if the person can actually perform the work that is needed. Discrimination is not necessarily because the person is just disabled, the job has to be matched with the individual and their disability. For example, it would not be discrimination to deny someone employment if a forklift driver is needed and someone in a wheelchair applied for the position. This is just an example and is not meant to make fun of anyone or hurt anyone’s feelings.

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