Under the ADA, which statement best describes who is protected?

Under the ADA, which statement best describes who is protected?

• A. Be a person with a disability or be associated with someone who has a disability.
• B. Be a person with a disability only.
• C. Be an employer with disabilities.
• D. Be a person who has no connection to disability.

Answer: (A)

Under the ADA, protections extend to people who have a disability and to those who are associated with someone who has a disability. This means you’re protected not only if you yourself have a disability, but also if you’re closely connected to someone who does—like a family member, friend, or coworker—so you can’t be treated unfavorably just for that association. The statement describing both possibilities best captures who is protected. For example, an employee cannot be denied a reasonable accommodation or be subjected to discrimination merely because their child has a disability or they are dating someone with a disability. Being protected does not apply to someone who has no connection to disability, which is why that option isn’t correct.

Under the ADA, protections extend to people who have a disability and to those who are associated with someone who has a disability. This means you’re protected not only if you yourself have a disability, but also if you’re closely connected to someone who does—like a family member, friend, or coworker—so you can’t be treated unfavorably just for that association. The statement describing both possibilities best captures who is protected. For example, an employee cannot be denied a reasonable accommodation or be subjected to discrimination merely because their child has a disability or they are dating someone with a disability. Being protected does not apply to someone who has no connection to disability, which is why that option isn’t correct.