Tag Archives: ADA

The American with Disabilities Act

american flagThe Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) is a law that was enacted by the U.S. Congress that prohibits, discrimination based on disability, defined as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.” The original intent of the law was to create civil rights law protections for people with disabilities that would prohibit all discrimination. It was intended to be a flexible set of laws that could only be strengthened, not weakened, by future case law. One pending six-figure lawsuit involves a legally blind man and his seeing-eye dog being asked to leave a business. No individual may be discriminated against on the basis of disability with regards to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation.

In this multi-cultural world in which we live, those of us who operate gas/station convenience stores have to be sensitive to this issue that may encompass seeing-eye dogs, or people with physical or mental handicaps. So please be aware and perceptive to the needs of handicapped individuals. It is not only the right thing to do; it can prevent unnecessary future litigation.