ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio
Keeping America Safe and Free
Criminal Justice Voting Rights Immigrant Rights LGBT Rights Juvenile Justice All Issues
RSS Feeds
Join Now (raise public awareness)
Donate Now (make a tax deductible gift)
Calendar (see a full list of events)
Email Alert (get information on the issues)
Save the Date!
ACLU Statewide Conference
July 28, 2012 Your Voice! Your Power! 2012

Click here for highlights from the 2010 Conference

Disability Rights

Updated 08.30.11 Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act nearly 20 years ago, people with disabilities continue to face discrimination in employment, education, and housing. The ACLU continues to support affirmative policies promoting employment for people with disabilities, as well as inclusive and appropriate education for students with disabilities.

What's Happening in Ohio


Rights of Voters with Disabilities
On June 29, 2011, the Ohio legislature passed House Bill 194, which makes a variety of misguided changes to Ohio’s voting system. The bill includes a provision that poll workers are no longer required to assist voters. However, the Americans with Disabilities Act still requires poll workers to assist voters with disabilities if they need help completing their ballot.

More information about voting is available through our Voting Rights page or the Ohio Legal Rights Service.


What's Happening Nationally


Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990 to provide legal protections to the millions of Americans who are vulnerable to discrimination because of physical or mental disabilities. However, since its passage, the courts had dramatically narrowed the scope of the ADA.

On January 1, 2009 the ADA Amendments Act went into effect. The law clarifies the original intent of Congress in passing the ADA and restores some of the civil rights that had been eroded by subsequent judicial decisions. On March 24, 2011, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced final regulations for the Act.

Read the ACLU press release supporting the ADA Amendments Act.


Resources

Check out our Publications page for more resources on disability rights.

Ohio Legal Rights Service, Provides assistance on legal issues, including discrimination in education or employment

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, Oversees compliance of the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act, both of which prohibit discrimination based on disability

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Investigates complaints of employment discrimination

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division,Investigates complains of discrimination in public accommodations, including restaurants, stores, and other public places

ADA Watch is a national campaign to protect the civil rights of people with disabilities.

Deportation by Default: Mental Disability, Unfair Hearings, and Indefinite Detention in the US Immigration System, ACLU and Human Rights Watch, July 2010

National Disability Rights Network, Protection and advocacy for people with disabilities

Visit the disability rights section of the national ACLU website.

Browse our webcasts for disability rights-related programs:
Audio webcasts
Video webcasts