The Americans with Disabilities Act – are we keeping our promise? An analysis of the effect of the ADA on the employment of persons with disabilities

Abstract

Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, little has changed regarding the employment of people with disabilities. This article will review and analyze data from many sources regarding the employment of people with disabilities. Included in this analysis is employment data, compliance data collected by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and data regarding the attitudes of employers complying with the ADA. This analysis reveals that the ADA has had minimal impact on changing patterns of discrimination that decrease the employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Finally, the author makes specific recommendations that may change attitudes that lead to discrimination against people with disabilities.