With the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being signed into law, it's important to reflect on how it has helped the millions of Americans with disabilities find opportunities in the workplace.
Signed into law July 26, 1990, the ADA provides persons with disabilities protections against discrimination in employment, public accommodation, transportation, communications and government activities.
"The LGBT and disability communities have mutual respect and support for one another, and the Americans with Disabilities Act is an example of how legislation can really help segments of the population that experience unfair discrimination," said Justin Nelson, co-founder and president of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce®.
Nearly 50 million Americans have a disability, of which as many as 3 million are LGBT. The total number of people with disabilities who are employed is 18.6 million. Just 60 percent of men with disabilities and 51.4 percent of women with disabilities are employed.
Title I of the act has leveled the playing field for people with disabilities when it comes to employment, prohibiting discrimination against qualified individuals in the job application process, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation and training.
Depending on size, revenue and other factors, businesses that make accommodations for employees with disabilities are eligible for tax credits. The Small Business Tax Credit offers businesses with revenue of $1 million or less or 30 employees or fewer a tax credit of up to $5,000 annually to help pay for the cost of providing accommodations including sign language interpreters, readers, materials in alternative formats for employees with visual impairments, adaptive equipment or modification existing equipment, or removal of architectural barriers for easier mobility in the workplace.
To learn more about the value of hiring persons with disabilities, visit the Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE) at www.whatcanyoudocampaign.org. The CDE is a campaign brought together by the U.S. Department of Labor that includes the NGLCC, the American Association of People with Disabilities, the Special Olympics and others, for the purpose of promoting the values of an open, equitable and available workplace for people with disabilities.
View an important public service announcement on the topic at www.nglcc.org/programs/CDE.
