Americans with Disabilities Act
Throughout the 1970's and 1980's, Congress enacted numerous bills aimed at protecting individuals with disabilities against discrimination. Safeguards enacted included:
- Protection against discrimination in federally assisted and federally conducted programs
- Accessibility to facilities and programs supported or operated by the federal government
- The right to a free, appropriate education
- Entitlement to protection from harm in institutions
- Access to protection and advocacy services for those who are developmentally disabled, chronically mentally ill, or severely disabled
- The right to medically indicated treatment for infants with disabilities
In 1990, Congress approved the Americans with Disabilities Act (P.L. 101-336), a sweeping affirmation of the rights of citizens with disabilities. A disability is defined as:
- A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual
- A record of such an impairment or
- Being regarded as having such an impairment
The Americans with Disabilities Act, commonly referred to as "ADA," is divided into five titles:
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