Do you suspect you were passed over for a promotion or job because you are disabled? Do you receive harassment on the job because of a disability? Then, you may have suffered disability discrimination, which is illegal under the Americans With Disabilities (ADA) Act.
You have protections under the ADA and may be entitled to damages in a disability discrimination lawsuit. Learn about ADA compliance in the workplace below, then contact an ADA compliance attorney at North Suburban Legal Services if you have legal questions.
The ADA defines disability and what companies must do to accommodate people with disabilities. ‘Disability’ under the ADA means a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits your ability to engage in one or more major life activities. It includes people who have a history of that impairment, even if they do not have that disability today. It also consists of those who have a limiting disability but might not be practically disabled.
Keep in mind that being disabled, according to the Americans With Disabilities Act, is different from many other programs, including Social Security. Some of the major life activities included in the ADA include eating, working, breathing, speaking, hearing, seeing, bending, standing, lifting, learning, concentrating, communicating, and reading.
Also, a person can be considered disabled under the law if they have a severe condition that affects a major bodily function, such as the:
According to the ADA, a company cannot discriminate against someone based on a disability. This applies to the following areas of employment:
The employer cannot ask during hiring if you have a disability or how severe it is. Also, it is illegal under the ADA for a worker or job applicant to be harassed because they have a disability. Furthermore, they should not get questions about their medical history or be coerced to take a medical examination as a condition of employment.
The ADA states that a reasonable accommodation is an adjustment or modification to a job, work environment, or hiring/application process. An accommodation helps a disabled person obtain employment and do their job successfully. There are many examples of reasonable accommodations. Some examples may include:
If you think you have been discriminated against in the workplace due to your disability, you do not have to tolerate it. You are protected from workplace discrimination under the ADA. Our ADA compliance attorney at North Suburban Legal Services may be able to file a claim against your employer and obtain compensation for your losses. Call our office today at (312) 909-6089.