Legal Definitions - disability law

Disability law refers to laws that protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, education, and access to public services. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is the primary law that regulates disability rights in the United States.

The ADA defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment. The law requires reasonable accommodations to be made to provide individuals with disabilities equal opportunities.

Other laws that protect individuals with disabilities include the Fair Housing Act, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Air Carrier Access Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

For example, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in any aspect of selling, renting, or denying housing because of an individual's disability. Owners are required to make reasonable exceptions in their housing policies to afford equal housing opportunities to those with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by federal agencies, in programs receiving federal financial assistance, in federal employment, and in the employment practices of federal contractors.

Overall, disability law aims to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to opportunities and are not discriminated against because of their disabilities.