Which federal law protects the employment rights of individuals with disabilities?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the federal law that specifically protects the employment rights of individuals with disabilities. It was enacted in 1990 and prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs. The ADA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities, ensuring they have equal opportunities in the workplace. This might include modifications to the work environment or changes in job procedures to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their jobs effectively.

The ADA establishes standards for accessibility in various aspects of employment, including hiring, firing, promotions, and benefits. By protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities, the ADA aims to create a more inclusive workforce and combat discrimination based on disability status.

Other laws listed, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), focus on wage and hour regulations, while the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides job protection for medical leave purposes, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act (EEOA) addresses broader discrimination issues. However, none of these laws are specifically designed to protect the employment rights of individuals with disabilities in the same targeted manner as the ADA does.