30 Year Anniversary of the ADA

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Written by: Riley Connor

On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. As the 30 year anniversary falls upon us this weekend, this is a perfect time to reflect back on what the ADA is and how it can impact Spinal Cord Injury cases. President Bush called the law a “declaration of equality,” one that opened a door to “a bright new era.” In an editorial, The New York Times wrote: “The act does more than enlarge the independence of disabled Americans. It enlarges civil rights and humanity, for all Americans.”

What is the ADA?

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To increase equity in American life, the ADA was signed in 1990 and modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of being disabled. According to ADA.gov: To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability, which is defined by the ADA as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.

Basically, you cannot be treated differently when applying for jobs, how employers determine your wages, and firing discrimination based on your disability. It also requires and that employers offer “reasonable accommodations” to disabled workers, such as wheelchair access.

Disability rights have come a long way, yet we still have a long way to go.

What does the ADA have to do with my Spinal Cord Injury?

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When you sustain a spinal cord injury, there are most likely going to be physical and non-physical damages that can be classified under ADA as a disability. It is important to keep medical records in case anything discriminatory occurs under ADA regulations.

Legal questions can often be confusing for what can be accounted for in a case, but that is why we are here to help. The first step is understanding when your rights are being violated. Check out our Know Your Disability Rights blog for more information on when rights are being violated.

Contact us if you have any questions regarding your injury claim or any ADA inquiry. The Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm has vast experience defending the rights of people with disabilities, and we have won millions of dollars for our clients. Contact us today at 1-877-SCI-FIRM or info@spinalcordinjurylawyers.com for a free consultation to assess your legal options.