The "Americans With Disabilities Act", popularly known as the
"ADA", was signed
into law on July 26, 1990 to provide citizens a right to equal opportunity in every aspect of
the American way of life. In the simplest of terms, the ADA accomplishes this by establishing standards
that apply to every walk of life and ensure that the disabled are not discrimated against because
of their disabilities.
By law, Americans with disabilities must be afforded a reasonable opportunity to work, play,
travel, shop, be housed, and be administered to in a way which does not deny them equal
consideration with their non-disabled fellow citizens.
For overall purposes, the ADA defines DISABILITY as " the functional limitation
within the individual caused by physical, mental, or sensory impairments "
and HANDICAP as " the loss or limitation of opportunities to take part in the normal
life of a community on a equal level with others due to physical and social barriers. "
ACCESSIBILITY - The ability to perform the normal activities of daily living regardless
of disability.
TRANSPORTATION - The ability to use commercial and government transportation.
EDUCATION - Having an equal opportunity to pursue educational and/or vocational
devolopment to a degree commensurate with learning ability.
HOUSING - Having an equal opportunity to enjoy a home environment suitable for the
performance of normal daily activities.
EMPLOYMENT - Having an equal opportunity for employment for which the individual is
qualified or for which he/she can be trained with appropiate accommodation.
MEDICAL - Not being discriminated against with respect to preventive and curative
medical facilities and approciate health insurance availability.
Those who are benefited by the "ADA"
have companion responsibilities to avoid taking undue advantage of these benefits and to
guard against infringement upon the rights of others.
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Phone: 301-694-1663
Fax: 301-631-2314, MD Relay: 711
E-mail: info@fccod.org