s people affect our social, personal, and professional lives. That basic and essential right is to be treated equally and afforded the same opportunities as any person in this country, regardless of race, religion, disability or beliefs. Early in our history, many people struggled to afford our future generations the freedom to enjoy equalitAlbert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell, Edison, Franklin D. Roosevelt, General George Patton, Robin Williams, Walt Disney, Janet Reno, Neil Cavuto, and Michael J. Fox.

Aside from being very successful in their chosen fields, what commonality do these individuals share? Each of these people have disabilities. If these individuals were not allowed to contribute their talents and expertise to our world, how would that affect our world as we know it? The answer to that question would require a philosopher with thoughts much loftier than mine. The idea however; is important to explore. We must be grateful to a society who has progressed to the point where balance is given to all people, not just people of favor. Hence, that balance comes in the form of a law entitled “Americans with Disabilities Act”.

What are the criteria or definition of disability? The ADA defines it as such; “To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such impairment.”

One of our most basic and essential rights as people affect our social, personal, and professional lives. That basic and essential right is to be treated equally and afforded the same opportunities as any person in this country, regardless of race, religion, disability or beliefs. Early in our history, many people struggled to afford our future generations the freedom to enjoy equality

ot allowed to contribute their talents and expertise to our world, how would that affect our world as we know it? The answer to that question would require a philosopher with thoughts much loftier than mine. The idea however; is important to explore. We must be grateful to a society who has progressed to the point where balance is given to all people, not just people of favor. Hence, that balance comes in the form of a law entitled “Americans with Disabilities Act”.

What are the criteria or definition of disability? The ADA defines it as such; “To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such impairment.”

One of our most basic and essential rights as people affect our social, personal, and professional lives. That basic and essential right is to be treated equally and afforded the same opportunities as any person in this country, regardless of race, religion, disability or beliefs. Early in our history, many people struggled to afford our future generations the freedom to enjoy equalit

all people, not just people of favor. Hence, that balance comes in the form of a law entitled “Americans with Disabilities Act”.

What are the criteria or definition of disability? The ADA defines it as such; “To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such impairment.”

One of our most basic and essential rights as people affect our social, personal, and professional lives. That basic and essential right is to be treated equally and afforded the same opportunities as any person in this country, regardless of race, religion, disability or beliefs. Early in our history, many people struggled to afford our future generations the freedom to enjoy equalit

ty. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such impairment.”

One of our most basic and essential rights as people affect our social, personal, and professional lives. That basic and essential right is to be treated equally and afforded the same opportunities as any person in this country, regardless of race, religion, disability or beliefs. Early in our history, many people struggled to afford our future generations the freedom to enjoy equalit

s people affect our social, personal, and professional lives. That basic and essential right is to be treated equally and afforded the same opportunities as any person in this country, regardless of race, religion, disability or beliefs. Early in our history, many people struggled to afford our future generations the freedom to enjoy equality in its fullest and richest form. Thus, in 1990, “The Americans With Disabilities Act” was created and placed as federal law. This law essentially guarantees physically or mentally challenged people to be given the same opportunity to work and live in their communities as productive citizens and employees. In some cases, accommodations are made to assist these people with daily living so that they are able to function effectively in the workplace and as private citizens.

There are those hiring managers, HR recruiters, etc. that may pause and question themselves if they are faced with hiring a disabled candidate. There are the usual misconceptions and assumptions of the disabled employee will be less skilled and produce substandard work as a result, or perhaps the fear that the employee is skilled, but they can’t do their job as well as another employee. That is why education and federal laws are as vitally important to our growth as a people and our society.

Along with knowledge, accommodation and perseverance will create a more level ground in which to judge all employees equally. I believe the following quote summarizes our society’s need for reminders such as this.

"... Knowledge must continually be renewed by ceaseless effort, if it is not to be lost. It resembles a statue of marble which stands in the desert and is continually thr