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The ADA and Barriers To Employment

John Faith
July 4, 2014

When barriers to employment prevent the growth of a society by excluding some of its resources, the entire nation suffers. Before the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), many Americans were denied access not only to employment, but transportation, public accommodations, public services and telecommunication. ADA signifies one of the strongest pieces of civil rights legislation in the nation by providing protection to individuals with disabilities. This landmark legislation is very similar to the protection afforded to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin and religion.

ADA guarantees persons with disabilities, or Schedule “A” Appointees as they may be referred to, the right to participate in the opportunities inherent in our culture. ADA opens doors for the disabled to access employment and provide meaningful contributions to the advancement of the society. Before ADA, many talented individuals with disabilities were absolutely denied access to what most of us enjoyed just as a matter of course. Imagine not being able to eat at your favorite restaurant because the door is too narrow for your wheelchair or there is no way to climb the steps leading to the restaurant door.

In the normal course of life, many of us are so busy enjoying what we deem to be normal that we fail to think about barriers that prevent others from participation. The Federal Government is committed to enforcing and prioritizing ADA legislation so that every American can share in the challenges and opportunities in the United States.