DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION
According to Disability Rights Ohio, the state law defines a disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including the functions of caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working; a record of a physical or mental impairment; or being regarded as having a physical or mental impairment.” Under the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is illegal for employers to discriminate against a person with physical or mental disabilities, or even employees who have a family member with a disability. If your employer has been discriminating against you because of a disability you or a loved one has, it is time to speak with a Toledo disability discrimination attorney at Coffman Legal, LLC.
The U.S. Department of Justice notes that the ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered by the law. Some examples of medical impairments that are recognized by the ADA as listed by the Job Accommodation Network include:
Any company that employs 15 of more workers is prohibited from making any employment decisions based on an employee’s disability. This includes private companies along with state and local governments. Federal employees are protected separately under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Discrimination can occur at any stage of employment, from the hiring process through to termination, including deducting wages, failing to promote the employee, and more.
Employees and potential hires with disabilities are allowed reasonable accommodations to allow them to do their work. Accommodations will vary significantly depending on what type of impairment a person has. For instance, a person who has diabetes might need additional meal breaks to eat and check insulin levels while another person who uses a wheelchair may require ramps be placed in the building for mobility. At Coffman Legal, LLC we help you communicate with your employer to ensure that the appropriate accommodations are made and that you are compensated for lost wages or other damages that were accrued during the time period your employer did not have those accommodations in place.
If you have experienced discrimination in the workplace due to a disability, let the Toledo disability discrimination attorneys at Coffman Legal, LLC advocate on your behalf. Not only can we get you reasonable accommodations so that you are able to do your best work, but we can assist you in getting compensated for any damages such as lost wages or benefits. Contact us today at 614-949-1181 to schedule a free consultation.