The History of Discrimination

THE HISTORY OF DICRIMINTAION

Discrimination in the USA has a big history. From the blacks to women to gays and also people with disabilities all of these groups have been discriminated against in the U.S. in some way. People with disabilities have had an especially hard time over coming discrimination. They have had a lot of help from the govt. by way if the amendments passed such as sect. 504 of the Voc. Rehab Act. As well as the civil rights act, and the A.D.A. Those govt. programs brought light on to one of the fastest growing minorities on the country. The civil rights act of 1964 was the first major anti discrimination law passed. It said that the United States prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of race, sex, religion, or national origin. This was huge because it evened out the playing field so to speak. It made minorities lives much easer. Minorities except the handicapped minorities. Their first hope of an easer life didn't come until 1973 when congress passed section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. This act prohibited the discrimination of disabled people in federally assisted programs and activities. This was the first congressional act that protected to rights of the disabled. This in essence was a victory for the disabled minority of America.

Then in 1990 Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is a federal law that protects people with a disability against many kinds of discrimination. One part of the ADA protects them from job discrimination. The ADA can open doors and make it easer for people with disabilities to get jobs. The ADA says they must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations. It is up to the employer if he or she wants to reasonably accommodate the disabled person. In most cases they will to some extent. The ADA is the most known disability act. It is the greatest victory the disabled minorities have achieved thus far. It gives them the protection to go work a job that they are qualified for and receive equal pay and advancement opportunities. It gives children the protection to go to school and be able to learn in a normal education environment. The ADA and Section 504 have made the lives of handicapped people far easer. Without those, disabled people would have a much harder time making it through their daily lives.

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