The purpose of this article is to provide an analysis of the role and effectiveness of civil rights legislation in enhancing the employment status of persons with disabilities. The areas for discussion are as follows: backlash to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related civil rights initiatives; similarities and differences between the ADA and the civil rights legislation for other protected populations ; civil rights protection as a part of employment policy; civil rights protection and workforce development policy for persons with disabilities; whether civil rights and affirmative action policies for persons with disabilities have outlived their utility; and future trends and issues surrounding the ADA.
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