AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. The ADA is one of America's most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in the mainstream of American life, to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in State and local government programs and services. Modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin – and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the ADA is an "equal opportunity" law for people with disabilities.

To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability, which is defined by the ADA as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered. For those personnel who fall under such impairment and desire to request accommodation to include those in safety sensitive positions, please complete and submit LESP 93-Request Personnel Action Form by hand carrying or mail to ensure the security of personally identifiable information through the chain of command to the Human Resources Division. Furthermore, personnel must note that ADA does not require the Howell County Sheriff's Office to take action in the event it would impose an undue financial hardship in accordance with USC Title 42 §12112.