Americans with Disabilities Act, Its Antecedents, and Its Impact on Law Enforcement Employment, The

The American With Disabilities Act (ADA),' signed into law on July 26, 1990, is the most significant legislation ever enacted to prevent discrimination against disabled Americans. The scope of the legislation is sweeping, encompassing employment (Title I), public services by state and local governments including transportation (Title II), all public accommodations (Title III), and all telecommunications (Title IV). The law, in essence, recognizes the responsibility of the federal government to see to it that disabled Americans are fully integrated into all aspects of American life rather than being deemed unfit merely because of their disability. The purpose of this Article is to examine the impact of the ADA on law enforcement employment.