Employment (Title I)
Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits private employers, State and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. The ADA covers employers with 15 or more employees, including State and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and to labor organizations.
ENFORCEMENT
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission -- Disability Discrimination
How to File a Charge of Discrimination
If you think you have been discriminated against in employment on the basis of disability, you should contact the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. A charge of discrimination generally must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination. You may have up to 300 days to file a charge if there is a State or local law that provides relief for discrimination on the basis of disability. However, to protect your rights, it is best to contact EEOC promptly if discrimination is suspected.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE MATERIALS
Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, and Disability Discrimination in Hiring
A 6-page publication explaining disability discrimination concerns when employers use algorithms, artificial intelligence, and other technological tools to make employment decisions. This publication provides a broad overview of rights and responsibilities in plain language, making it easily accessible to people without a legal or technical background. (May 2022)
A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment | PDF
A 2-page pamphlet for people with disabilities providing a general explanation of the employment provisions of the ADA and how to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Spanish edition available from the ADA Information Line.)
ADA: Know Your Rights -- Returning Service Members with Disabilities | PDF
This 28-page booklet is designed to provide military service members who have been seriously wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom a basic understanding of their rights under the ADA and where to turn for additional information and assistance.
A Guide to Disability Rights Laws | En Español
A 21-page booklet that provides a brief overview of ten Federal laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities and provides information about the federal agencies to contact for more information. (Spanish, Cambodian, Chinese, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Tagalog and Vietnamese editions available from the ADA Information Line.)
Questions and Answers:
The Americans with Disabilities Act and Persons with HIV/AIDS | PDF
A 14-page publication explaining the rights of persons with HIV/AIDS under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the requirements of the ADA for employers, businesses and non-profit agencies that serve the public, and State and local governments to avoid discriminating against persons with HIV/AIDS (June 2012).
"Ten Employment Myths"
Many employers misunderstand the Americans with Disabilities Act and are reluctant to hire people with disabilities because of unfounded myths. This seventeen-minute video responds to concerns expressed by employers, explaining the ADA in common sense terms and dispelling myths about this often overlooked pool of well-qualified employees.