July 26th will mark the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
#BetterTogether is brought to you by the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Per the Department of Labor, the ADA is “a landmark federal law that protects the rights of people with disabilities by eliminating barriers to their participation in many aspects of living and working in America.”
You might have heard the Americans with Disabilities Act mentioned in regard to a very recent Uber settlement. In this dispute, people with disabilities were charged and fined for taking additional time to enter or exit their Uber vehicles. In the end, the mega ride-share company refunded its customers because they are protected under the ADA.
What does the ADA cover?
The Americans with Disabilities Act has five titles or sections, protecting a person from discrimination in all areas of public life.
- Title I covers employment and protects both employees and job seekers from being discriminated against due to a disability.
- Next, Title II ensures people with disabilities can participate in programs and services provided by public entities.
- Title III requires that private businesses make accommodations to provide accessibility for their customer, patrons, and the general public. This includes ramps and elevators, as well as hearing, vision, and speech aids.
- Title IV requires internet and telephone companies to provide resources for people with disabilities.
- Finally, Title V includes miscellaneous provisions, as well as a list of conditions that are not considered disabilities.
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a valuable law for all Americans and is a giant resource for providing workplace and public space accessibility for people with disabilities.
The Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities (TuscBDD) has resources for children and adults with developmental disabilities. TuscBDD provides Early Intervention for children birth to three years old, Service and Support Administration for people of all ages, family support services, family mentorship, and more! To learn more about these services, visit the TuscBDD website at https://www.tuscbdd.org.
Audrey Mattevi
Reporting
