When individuals experience unfair or unequal treatment because they have a disability, whether physical, cognitive, or mental, it is considered disability discrimination. Disability discrimination can happen in a variety of settings and in multiple ways.
In this blog, we will discuss the most common types of disability discrimination. It may be in career or educational settings. It could involve healthcare or accommodations in public settings.
Employment Discrimination
When an employee or potential employee is treated unfairly because of their disability, it is considered employment discrimination. Some examples of employment discrimination are listed below:
- An employer fails to accommodate their disabled employee in reasonable ways.
- Another example of employment discrimination is the refusal to hire a disabled person because of their disability.
- Inequitable pay for employees with disabilities is another form of employment discrimination.
- The termination or demotion of an employee because of their disability is yet another form of employment discrimination.
Public Accommodation Discrimination
Public accommodation discrimination occurs when disabled people are treated differently when they are using public spaces or public services. A few examples of public discrimination are as follows:
- Buildings and facilities lacking wheelchair ramps or failing to have bathrooms that are handicap accessible
- Refusal of entry to service animals of disabled individuals
- Not providing proper seating for disabled individuals in public areas like concert venues and sports arenas.
Education Discrimination
When schools, colleges, and universities lack provisions for equal access and options for students with disabilities to participate in the full educational experience, it is referred to as education discrimination. Some examples are listed below:
- When a school or university refuses to provide accommodations for students with disabilities, it is education discrimination.
- When students are denied admission based on their disabilities
- When students with disabilities are not allowed the full opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities
Healthcare Discrimination
Another common area where people with disabilities face discrimination is in healthcare. Healthcare discrimination occurs when healthcare providers’ treatment of people with disabilities is lacking. Some examples include the following:
- Refusal to deliver appropriate medical treatment to disabled patients
- Failure to furnish unrestricted access to medical facilities and necessary equipment
- Working under the assumption that individuals with disabilities have a reduced quality of life, healthcare professionals choose not to provide adequate care.
- Stereotyping and biases interfering with a patient’s treatment or autonomy
- Misdiagnosis may be a form of healthcare discrimination if a doctor chalks up symptoms of another issue to the patient’s disability, therefore missing the actual diagnosis and allowing their condition to go untreated
Reach Out to An Attorney if You Experience Disability Discrimination
If you or someone you love has experienced discrimination due to a disability, it is frustrating and maddening. People with disabilities have rights. If you are unclear about them, contacting an attorney with experience fighting discrimination is vital.
Employers, teachers, educational establishments, healthcare providers, and public spaces must all make moves to eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities. Promoting equality for everyone should be the goal. If you find that you are being discriminated against and need legal guidance, the attorneys with The Armstrong Law Firm are ready to aid you and offer help navigating the legal matters surrounding disability discrimination. Reach out today so that we can review your case and see how we can help you.