Discrimination Based On Disability

Discrimination Based On Disability Related Information:

Discrimination based on disability can take place in any place including school, the work place, housing, or even public facilities. In 1968 the federal government passed a law called the Fair Housing Act which prohibits landlords, home sellers, banks and real state agents from discriminating against people with different disabilities.

Disability is a mental impairment or physical condition which limits some individuals to performance of major life activities such as walking, working, learning, seeing, hearing or talking. There are also some other illnesses that are covered by this law, for example; HIV, Alcoholism and past drug addiction.

If when you try to rent an apartment the landlord makes comments about your wheel chair damaging the building, or they do not allow you to have your guide dog then they are discriminating against you. Even when there are certain rules about no having pets there must be exceptions for those who need a dog to get around.

If the landlord or any agent refuses to rent a house or an apartment because of your condition or they charge you more than other tenants, they are discriminating against you. Nowadays, new buildings must be handicap accessible and they need to comply with some requirements that have to be approved.

You can also be object of discrimination in your work place or when you are applying for a new job. Disabled people who receive less favorable treatment than their work colleagues who are not disabled are being discriminated against.

If you apply for a job that you can perform and they don’t hire you because of your disability they are discriminating against you. To prevent discrimination an employer will be expected to make adjustments to the workplace and working conditions. However, this Act does not apply to an employer who employs less than 15 workers.

Employers have to be careful that their recruitment, training and dismissal procedures, etc. do not treat disabled people unfairly.