The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The purpose of the Act is to: Provide clear and comprehensive national mandate to end discrimination against individuals with disabilities;

• Provide enforceable standards addressing discrimination against individuals with disabilities; and
• Ensure that the federal government plays a central role in enforcing these standards on behalf of individuals with disabilities.

The term disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities (breathing, seeing, hearing, speaking, caring for oneself, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, lifting, learning, performing manual tasks and working), a record of such impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment.

The ADA gives people with disabilities civil rights protection which is like that provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in:

• Employment
• Public accommodations
• Transportation
• State and local government
• Telecommunications

Related links:
Americans with Disabilities Act - www.ada.gov

Americans with Disabilities Act - Accommodation form
(The ADA Accommodation Form is for the exclusive use of ODJFS employees)