u.s. sealWe continue our survey of social work exam-relevant federal policy. Next up, the Americans with Disabilities Act. Here's some background from ADA.org:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. The ADA is one of America's most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in the mainstream of American life -- to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in State and local government programs and services. Modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin - and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 -- the ADA is an "equal opportunity" law for people with disabilities.

That pretty much sums it up. How might this knowledge be helpful on the social work licensing exam? Social workers are expected to have a general understanding of major policies that affect clients. Imagine an exam item featuring a client who is being discriminated against based upon a disability:

A client who uses a wheelchair has just been turned down for a job at a new local retail store, part of a big chain. The interviewer told her, "there's no way for you to get here--we've got stairs."

What can the social worker tell the client regarding her rights? You already know what the right answer is. Since it's a chain, the business doubtless employs more than 15 people, which means it has to abide by the ADA. The client's rights are being violated according to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 

Read more about the ADA on these sites:

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March 8, 2016
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