Which federal statute prohibits discrimination against the disabled in various sectors including employment?

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the federal statute that specifically prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in several areas, including employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. Enacted in 1990, the ADA's primary aim is to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

In the context of employment, the ADA makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities, requiring them to provide reasonable accommodations to enable these individuals to perform their job duties effectively. This statute establishes clear guidelines for what constitutes discrimination and outlines the responsibilities of employers in promoting an inclusive workplace.

The other statutes mentioned are relevant to different aspects of civil rights, but they do not specifically focus on the prohibition of discrimination against individuals with disabilities in the same comprehensive manner as the ADA does. The Family Medical Leave Act is primarily concerned with allowing employees to take leave for medical reasons, the Civil Rights Act addresses discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act focuses on preventing employment discrimination based on those same characteristics, rather than on disability status specifically. This contextual framework highlights why the ADA is the relevant legislation regarding discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various sectors, including employment.