Disability law may seem like a highly specialized area of law, but in reality, attorneys practicing it need to be familiar with many legal precedents and areas of law. Disability law can cross over with many different types of laws and regulations. Here are five interesting facts about disability law.
1. There Are Many Reasons To Hire a Disability Lawyer
Disability lawyers can provide many different kinds of legal services. You may need an attorney if you think you have suffered disability discrimination or harassment, but it’s also common for employers to ask for assistance in ensuring their policies aren’t discriminatory. Legal issues related to disability can also occur outside of employment, including between a landlord and a renter or in public spaces. If you need to hire an attorney, you should seek one practicing in your area. You can do so by searching online for a disability lawyer Pittsburgh, for example.
2. Several Laws Are in Place To Help Secure Disability Rights
The most well-known law relating to disability in the United States of America is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but many other laws have been passed throughout the country’s history. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first law put in place to protect the rights of those with disabilities and the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which guaranteed equal public education access for children with disabilities, was passed in 1975. Other laws that deal fully or partially with disability rights include the National Voter Registration Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Social Security Act (SSA), the Telecommunications Act and the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act.
3. Disability Laws Cover All Aspects of Life With a Disability
Because disability can temporarily or permanently impact a person’s entire life, disability rights and laws must pertain to all aspects of life. Any agency involved in offering employment, including labor unions, governments, private employers and employment agencies, must comply with the ADA and other disability laws. Laws such as the SSA ensure people with disabilities have access to healthcare and insurance coverage for their needs. Those in charge of public spaces have a duty to ensure these spaces are accessible to all people.
4. If You Have a Disability, It Is Important To Know Your Rights
Although laws are in place to help prevent or mitigate discrimination and harassment, they do still occur. People with disabilities must know their rights and learn about the laws that protect their rights. This helps them understand when discriminatory actions or policies affect them and when they need to access legal representation to deal with the issue. A person with a disability who knows his or her rights is better prepared to ensure his or her rights aren’t threatened or dismissed.
5. Abled People Also Need To Understand Disability Law
People with disabilities aren’t the only ones who need to develop a basic understanding of disability law and the rights protected under it. Anyone who employs, provides a service to or regularly interacts with a person who has a disability should also learn about disability law. Doing so helps you ensure your organization or property is accessible to all people and that any policies you have in place aren’t discriminatory to those with disabilities. If you’re an employer, for example, you should seek out a disability attorney to review new or updated policies to ensure they comply with the ADA.
If you need legal representation related to disability law, make sure you find an attorney who specializes in this type of law. He or she should have the most thorough knowledge of the field and how your situation relates to disability law and other types of law.
