In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 into law. A disability is a physical or mental encumbrance that limits an activity in a substantial way.
The law was designed to be a far ranging civil rights law. Under some circumstances, it prohibits discrimination based on disability as defined above. It does determine disability on a case-by-case basis. The discrimination protection provided by the law is similar to the provisions noted in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you remember, that law prohibited illegal discrimination based on race, gender, religion and other characteristics.
There are also certain conditions that are excluded. This includes substance abuse and visual impairment that is deemed correctable by prescription lenses.
Specifically, this is some of how the ADA was applied:
Employment: A covered employment entity cannot discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability. This applies to employment practices like the job application process, hiring, career advancement, termination of employees, and job training among others.
Public Entities: No public entity can discriminate against qualified individuals. Public entities include municipal, city, county, state and government establishments. In addition, those facilities have to provide access for people with disabilities.
Public Accommodations: No person can be discriminated against with regard that they can access full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities of any place of public accommodation.
Telecommunications: All telecommunications companies are bound to ensure functional services for consumers with disabilities including those who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have a speech impediment.
Miscellaneous: This provision applies to several things including prohibition of any type of coercion and other technical concerns regarding individuals with disabilities.
In 2008, another act called the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) was signed into law. This broadened the interpretation and scope of the ADA.