An executive order creates the ADA - protects the rights of individuals with disabilities.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various areas of public life, including employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. However, an executive order alone did not create the ADA.
The ADA was actually created by Congress and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. The executive order played a role in the implementation of the ADA by directing federal agencies to ensure compliance with the law's requirements and remove any barriers that may exist for individuals with disabilities.
Executive Order 13164, signed by President Bill Clinton in 2000, further strengthened the ADA's implementation by requiring federal agencies to establish procedures to handle complaints of disability discrimination from federal employees. It also mandated that federal agencies provide reasonable accommodations for disabled employees, similar to those required by private entities under the ADA.
Overall, while executive orders played a role in the implementation and enforcement of the ADA, the law itself was created through the legislative process by Congress and signed into law by the President.
The creation of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) was not actually done through an executive order. Instead, it was passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. The ADA is a comprehensive civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various areas, including employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. It provides protections and access to opportunities for people with disabilities and aims to ensure their full participation in society.
To understand how an executive order creates the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and protects the rights of individuals with disabilities, let's break it down:
1. What is an executive order?
An executive order is a directive or command given by the President of the United States that manages operations of the federal government. It is based on the executive branch's constitutional authority, and while it does not require congressional approval, it carries the force of law.
2. How does an executive order create the ADA?
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed Executive Order 12625, which established the National Council on Disability. This council, composed of disabled individuals and representatives from various agencies, was tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of federal laws, regulations, and policies relating to individuals with disabilities.
Based on the recommendations provided by the National Council on Disability, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in several areas, including employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.
So, the executive order (12625) created the National Council on Disability, whose findings and recommendations played a significant role in shaping the ADA.
3. How does the ADA protect the rights of individuals with disabilities?
The ADA provides protection and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities in various aspects of life. Here are a few key provisions:
- Employment: The ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, advancement, and other employment practices. It requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations that enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job.
- Public accommodations: The law requires businesses, government agencies, and other entities that provide goods or services to the public to make their facilities accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes accessible entrances, parking, restrooms, and other necessary accommodations.
- Transportation: The ADA sets standards for accessibility in public transportation systems, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have reasonable access to buses, trains, airplanes, and other modes of transportation.
- Telecommunications: The ADA requires telephone companies to offer telecommunications relay services that allow individuals with hearing or speech disabilities to communicate over the phone.
These are just a few examples, but the ADA covers a wide range of areas to ensure equal rights and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
In summary, an executive order established the National Council on Disability, which shaped the recommendations used to create the ADA. The ADA, in turn, protects the rights of individuals with disabilities by prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal opportunities in various aspects of life.