“The Americans with Disabilities Act 1990”

Source: Newspaper Article on “The Americans with Disabilities Act 1990” 

In this particular article from 1994, an employee who had been a subject of discrimination for her disability was interviewed. Staff writer Doug Smith from Los Angeles Times interviewed Linda S. Sirlin who is disabled with multiple sclerosis which restrains her from walking properly and even makes her use the wheel chair in times of need.  The interview was conducted in order to find her perspective on whether the Act of 1990 had changed the working environment for people with disabilities.  She mentioned that she had been discriminated against before and after the implement of this law.  She discusses the fact that she has been called to numerous interviews only to find out that she would not be selected due to her disability.  She did some investigation on her own as well, she insists that a loop hole exists in this law because it does not apply to firms which have less than 25 employees.  Upon further research, this law was altered in 1994 to including companies which had 15 or more employees.  But still the fact remains that companies with less than 15 employees will have their way with discrimination and are allowed to discriminate within this law because they don’t have enough employees to be acting under this particular law.  Linda believes that this law has made it harder for her to find a job because small firm employers are afraid to hire employees which might become a liability for them.