ADA and Affirmative Action Paper

Essay by bamandbonnieUniversity, Bachelor'sA, May 2009

download word file, 5 pages 5.0

University of Phoenix/BSHS 422This paper will Critique of American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Affirmative Action and the effects on people in America today, by providing the definition of ADA and Affirmative Action, reasons for their enactment and populations they seek to protect, effectiveness of the ADA and Affirmative Action, concerns and criticisms of the ADA and Affirmative Action, and the future of the ADA and Affirmative Action.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides federal civil rights protections to people with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. The ADA guarantees equal opportunity for people with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, telecommunications transportation, and State and local government services.

"As the ADA, a civil rights law focusing on discrimination, it is based fundamentally on traditional concepts of discrimination as adapted and applied to the unique circumstances of people with disabilities initially in The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (e.g.,

the requirement that employers provide reasonable accommodations to allow people with disabilities to function optimally). Through thoughtful and innovative application, the ADA has helped people with disabilities win many important battles in the war for their independence. However, the ADA alone cannot win the war. Its use to achieve particular social goals is limited by the specific language and legislative intent of the law. (Batavia & Schriner, 2001)"Throughout modern history, the stigma associated with serious diseases and the social hostility that is often directed at those with, or at risk of, disease have interfered with the effective operation of public health programs. The field of public health has always had to struggle with issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and socioeconomic status. Persons who fear social repercussions may resist testing or fail to seek needed services. As part...