Most of our readers in the Houston area are probably familiar with employment discrimination claims based on race and gender. These are the two forms of workplace discrimination that usually get the most media coverage, after all. However, there are other forms of discrimination that can occur in the workplace as well. Disability discrimination, for example, is not uncommon, but usually this form of discrimination doesn’t attract as much attention as other forms of workplace discrimination.
So, how can disability discrimination impact your employment options? Well, for starters, it is important to understand that there are millions of Americans who live with some form of mental or physical disability. But, that doesn’t mean those individuals don’t want to be part of the workforce in Texas and throughout the country. There are laws in place to protect such individuals, most notably the Americans with Disabilities Act – commonly known as the “ADA.”
Under the ADA, employers must offer “reasonable accommodations” to employees who have disabilities. If they do not, legal action may be an option. In addition, any discrimination against an employee based on a disability may be actionable as well. The ADA includes many protections for Americans with disabilities.
Assessing your options
It can be difficult to contemplate taking legal action against your employer – or former employer. But, it is always important to remember that you have legal rights, and that should be part of your assessment of potential options. For more information about how our law firm attempts to help Texas residents with these issues, please visit the disability discrimination overview section of our website.