Disability Rights
- arcrchk
- Nov 30, 2022
- 2 min read
By: Anu Subramanian Senthilkannan
Before exploring this topic, we must understand the definition of certain terms. For example, disability. What is its definition? Any physical or mental impairment that makes it harder for the person with the condition to engage in particular activities or interact with the environment around them is referred to as a disability.
According to the World Health Organization, disability has aspects: impairment of a person's physical, psychological, or cognitive abilities (amputation of a limb, visual loss, memory loss, etc.), limitations on activity, such as trouble hearing, seeing, walking, or solving problems., constraints on participation in activities that are often part of everyday life, such as working, taking part in social and recreational activities, and receiving medical care and preventative services.
Disability-related discrimination, segregation, and exclusion are pervasive. Federal legislation on disability rights may offer protection. (in some or even most cases) But what is even more important is that these rights should be known and understood by all. A scenario is if you are a disabled person and you are facing discrimination at your workplace.
There are many different ways by which you could face disability discrimination: when you are competent of performing the job, but an employer refuses to recruit you, promote you, or pay you similarly to your coworkers because of your impairment or your supervisor, employees, or clients make disparaging remarks, jokes, or gestures about your impairment in your direction. Your rights in this scenario are that when you seek for a job or are employed, you are not required to disclose your impairment to the employer – even if you subsequently require a reasonable accommodation, if you are able to perform the duties of the position, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against you because of your handicap by refusing to recruit or promote you, letting you go, or paying you less, you are also shielded from pointless medical questions at work. Moreover, you are entitled to request and accept "reasonable accommodations" that provide you an equal opportunity to succeed.
Furthermore, you have federal law to protect you and make sure you have the above listed rights. Although, federal disability nondiscrimination regulations do not apply to private firms with less than 15 employees.
Awareness about disability rights is gradually being raised however there is still a long way to go. So, what you can do now to help is to be more inclusive and kind.
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