As an organization dedicated to helping members of the disability community, there are many laws and regulations, set by all levels of the government, that SOAR365 must follow.
Two of the most important laws in the United States that protect people with disabilities from unfair treatment and ensure everyone has the same opportunities are the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. These laws are about making sure that all people, no matter their background or abilities, can live, work, and go to school in an equal and fair society. Let’s take a closer look at what each law means and why they’re so important.
What is the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990 to protect people with disabilities from discrimination. The law defines “disability” as a person who has a physical or mental condition that makes it harder for them to do things that most people can do easily. The ADA makes sure that people with disabilities are treated fairly and that they have the same opportunities as everyone else.
Here are some key things the ADA does:
- Public Places: It requires that public places like schools, stores and parks like PARK365 be accessible to people with disabilities. This means having ramps for people in wheelchairs, elevators in tall buildings, and doors that are easy to open.
- Workplaces: Employers cannot refuse to hire someone just because they have a disability. They also must provide special equipment or changes to the workplace if needed. For example, if a person has trouble hearing, an employer might provide a special phone system that makes it easier to understand calls.
- Transportation: The ADA also makes sure that buses, trains, and other public transportation systems are accessible to people with disabilities.
By making sure everyone follows these guidelines, the ADA helps ensure that people with disabilities have the same chances to live, work, and participate in society as everyone else.
What is Title VI of the Civil Rights Act?
Title VI is part of a law called the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was passed to help stop discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. Title VI has important applications to people with disabilities as well.
Title VI specifically applies to what we do as an organization because it outlines that no one should be denied services or treated poorly in programs that receive federal funding.
Here’s how Title VI helps:
- Schools: If a school receives government money, it can’t discriminate against students based on their race or national origin. For example, a school can’t make certain groups of students feel unwelcome or treat them differently in their classrooms.
- Health Care: Hospitals and clinics that receive federal funding cannot refuse to treat someone or give them poor care based on their race or background.
- Public Services: Public programs and activities (like public housing, transportation, and welfare programs) must serve everyone fairly, no matter where they come from or the color of their skin.
Title VI helps make sure that everyone has equal access to important services, no matter their race, color, or where they are from.
Why Are These Laws Important?
Both the ADA and Title VI are about fairness. They help make sure that people with disabilities and people from different racial or ethnic backgrounds have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Without these laws, people might face discrimination that stops them from getting a good education, finding a job, or using public services.
By following the ADA and Title VI, we can build a society where everyone is treated with respect, fairness, and dignity. These laws remind us that no matter our abilities or backgrounds, we all deserve to be treated equally.
To see more about how SOAR365 lives out the values of the ADA and Title VI, visit soar365.org and follow SOAR365 on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.