Quiz of the Month: the Americans with Disabilities Act

by Joyce Remy

This month marks the 15th anniversary of the historic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Act is a federal civil rights law designed to prevent discrimination and to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to and may participate fully in all aspects of American society. It guarantees equal opportunity in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications.

This important piece of legislation has raised awareness of barriers and challenged perceptions and expectations of people with disabilities. It has empowered many more individuals to live their lives with dignity and choice. But myths still abound regarding the Act and what it requires. Try this short quiz to see how much you know about the ADA.

True or False?

1. If a person has a disability and is qualified to do a job, the ADA protects him or her from job discrimination on the basis of the disability, the same as from discrimination based on race, gender, national origin, age, or religion.
   
   
2. Since the ADA was passed, there have been hundreds of thousands of ADA-related lawsuits.
   
   
3. Businesses, even small ones, must follow strict, costly standards when removing architectural barriers from existing structures that would prevent a person with a disability from working or doing business with the company.
   
   
4. No unqualified job applicant or employee with a disability can claim employment discrimination under the ADA.
   
   
5. When it comes to paying for accessibility, businesses are on their own.
   
   
6. The ADA applies only to people with mobility disabilities.
   
   
7. The ADA may protect the rights of cancer survivors.
   
   
8. A guide dog or other service animal may enter a business or other public place, even if there is a "no pets" policy, or if health department laws prohibit animals on the premises.
   
   
9. When a new building is constructed, incorporating accessibility features represents less than 1 percent of construction costs.
   
   
10. Removing physical barriers to employment, transportation, public accommodations, public services, and telecommunications has been the most important accomplishment of the ADA.

Answers to Americans with Disabilities Act Quiz

1. If a person has a disability and is qualified to do a job, the ADA protects him or her from job discrimination on the basis of the disability, the same as from discrimination based on race, gender, national origin, age, or religion

True. If a person meets legitimate skill, experience, education, or other requirements of an employment position he or she holds or seeks, and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against that person.

2. Since the ADA was passed, there have been hundreds of thousands of ADA-related lawsuits.

False. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, there have been only 650 lawsuits in five years a very small number when you consider the large number of businesses, public and private employers, and units of state and local government that are covered by the Act.

3. Businesses, even small ones, must follow strict, costly standards when removing architectural barriers from existing structures that would prevent a person with a disability from working or doing business with the company.

False. From a public accomodations standpoint, the ADA only requires what is "readily achievable." There are many creative and inexpensive solutions to removing barriers, easily within the means of even small businesses. Examples include adding a ramp to steps, lowering telephones, installing a bathroom grab bar, rearranging furniture, and adding a few lines of paint and a sign to create an accessible parking space. With regard to employment, employers should provide reasonable accomodations for employees who have disabilities, including provision of equipment or barrier removal; however, these accomodations are often not costly.

4. No unqualified job applicant or employee with a disability can claim employment discrimination under the ADA.

True. Employees or applicants must meet all the requirements of the job and perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

5. When it comes to paying for accessibility, businesses are on their own.

False. Tax deductions and tax credits may be available to help meet the cost of ADA compliance.

6. The ADA applies only to people with mobility disabilities.

False. The ADA applies to all people who have impairments that limit major life activities, such as seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, learning, caring for oneself, and working.

7. The ADA may protect the rights of cancer survivors.

True. The Act also may protect people with a record of a disability from discrimination based on that record or history.

8. A guide dog or other service animal may enter a business or other public place, even if there is a "no pets" policy, or if health department laws prohibit animals on the premises.

True. A service animal is not a pet, and generally must be allowed to accompany the individual with a disability to all areas where customers are normally allowed to go.

9. When a new building is constructed, incorporating accessibility features represents less than 1 percent of construction costs.

True. And this amount is small, compared to the economic benefits gained from being able to accommodate customers and employees with disabilities.

10. Removing physical barriers to employment, transportation, public accommodations, public services, and telecommunications has been the most important accomplishment of the ADA.

True...and False. Though increased accessibility is a huge accomplishment, the greatest impact has been on the barriers born of fear and prejudice experienced by people with disabilities. As with any differences between people, interaction and experience help break down barriers and build respect.

Though we still have a long way to go, in the 15 years of its existence, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has demonstrated how all of us benefit from the skills, talents and knowledge of individuals with disabilities, how we all gain from the increased purchasing power and ability to use it...and how important the Act is to ensuring fuller, more productive lives for all Americans.

For More Information...

The Americans with Disabilities Act homepage of the U.S. Department of Justice website contains information for people with disabilities, employers and service providers.

Www.disabilityinfo.gov contains links to information of interest to people with disabilities, their families, employers, service providers and other community members.