Federal law protects which of the following under disability discrimination select all that apply

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the rights of people with disabilities. It guarantees equal opportunity in:

• Public accommodations

• Jobs

• Transportation

• Government services

• Telecommunications

The Department of Justice ADA information line answers questions about ADA requirements. It's available to businesses, state and local governments, and the public. Call 1- 800-514-0301 (TTY: 1-800-514-0383).

Find More ADA Resources From the Government

The ADA website has information on:

• ADA standards for accessible design

• Federal agencies with ADA responsibilities

• Mediation for dispute resolution

The United States Access Board website provides:

• Guidelines and standards for transportation vehicles, passenger vessels, and prescription drug labels

• A guide to the ADA standards

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to make electronic and information technology accessible.

• View information on Section 508 law.

• For questions, contact the Section 508 program.

When to File a Complaint

According to Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, hotels, restaurants, and certain places of entertainment must provide disability access. 

If you feel that you've been the object of Title III discrimination, you can file an ADA complaint.

Discrimination and Harassment at Your Job

If you are experiencing discrimination or harassment at your employer, first inform your manager or the human resources department. If neither help, use these government resources.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.

Protections Included Under the Law

These laws protect employees and job applicants against:

• Discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment in the workplace by anyone because of:

  • Race

  • Color

  • Religion

  • Sex (including gender identity, transgender status, and sexual orientation)

  • Pregnancy

  • National origin

  • Age (40 or older)

  • Disability

  • Genetic information

• Being denied reasonable workplace accommodations for a disability or religious beliefs

• Retaliation because they:

  • Complained about job discrimination

  • Helped with an investigation or lawsuit

How to File an Employment Discrimination Complaint

To file a complaint, contact your EEOC field office.

Many state and local governments have anti-discrimination laws. These laws may offer extra protection beyond federal law.

Some state laws:

• Apply to businesses with only five or six employees

• Prohibit discrimination based on whether you're married or have children

• Have different deadlines for filing a charge

• Have different standards for deciding whether you're covered

Many state laws have more protections for nursing mothers than federal law requires. State labor offices enforce these laws.

Filing a Lawsuit

If you're a victim of job discrimination or harassment, you can file a lawsuit. If the discrimination violates federal law, you must first file a charge with the EEOC. (This does not apply to cases of unequal pay between men and women.)

You may decide to sue if the EEOC cannot help you. In either case, look for an attorney who specializes in employment law. You can check with:

• Your EEOC field office

• American Bar Association

• National Employment Lawyers Association

Not All Employers Are Subject to EEOC Laws

Only employers with a certain number of employees are subject to EEOC laws. The number of employees changes depending on the type of employer and the kind of discrimination alleged.

• Businesses, state, and local governments must follow most EEOC laws if they have 15 or more employees.

• Federal agencies must follow all EEOC laws, no matter how many employees they have.

Laws that the EEOC Enforces

Federal employment discrimination laws include:

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – which prohibits discrimination against workers with disabilities and mandates reasonable accommodations

• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA)

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) – which prohibits discrimination based on:

  • Race

  • Color

  • Religion

  • National origin

  • Sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity)

• The Equal Pay Act (EPA) – which requires equal pay for equal work by men and women

What is Harassment?

Harassment is unwelcome conduct based on:

• Race

• Color

• Religion

• Sex

• National origin

• Age

• Pregnancy

• Disability

• Genetic information

It can include:

• Offensive jokes

• Physical assaults or threats

• Ridicule or insults

• Display of offensive objects or pictures

Sexual harassment may include:

• Unwelcome sexual advances

• Requests for sexual favors

• Other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature

• Offensive remarks about a person's sex

Harassment becomes illegal when:

• It creates a hostile or abusive work environment.

• The victim gets fired or demoted for refusing to put up with it.

Protection from Retaliation

EEOC laws protect employees and job applicants from retaliation. For example, it’s unlawful to punish people for:

• Filing or being a witness in an EEO charge or investigation

• Talking to a supervisor or manager about discrimination or harassment

• Refusing to follow orders that would result in discrimination

• Resisting sexual advances or intervening to protect others

Voter Accessibility Laws

Voter accessibility laws ensure that people with disabilities or language barriers are able to vote.

If you know you will need accommodations on Election Day, contact your state or local election office to find out what to expect at your polling place. 

Laws and Accommodations for Voters With Disabilities

Several federal laws protect the voting rights of Americans with disabilities. These include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

Voters with disabilities have the right to:

• Vote in private, without help

• Have an accessible polling place with voting machines for voters with disabilities

Polling places must have:

• Wheelchair-accessible voting booths

• Entrances and doorways at least 32 inches wide

• Handrails on all stairs

• Voting equipment for people who are blind or visually impaired

If you have a disability, you may:

• Seek help from poll workers trained to use an accessible voting machine, or

• Bring someone to help you vote

You can also ask your election office what other options you have.

• Some states offer “curbside voting," when a poll worker brings everything you need to vote to your car.

• Local organizations may provide transportation to the polls.

• Many states let people with disabilities vote absentee by mail.

Help for Voters Needing Language Assistance

The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) helps people overcome language barriers to voting.

• The downloadable Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections is available in 11 languages. Find tips on everything from registering to vote to casting a ballot on Election Day.

• The National Mail Voter Registration Form is available in 21 languages. You can use it in most states to register and to update your voter registration information.

Federal law also lets anyone who cannot read or write bring someone to the polls to help.