Various forms of discrimination have been addressed in legislation, federal regulations, and court decisions. Discrimination against the mentally ill remains a concern and one that has not been as fully addressed as other forms of discrimination. Many people still view the mentally ill as almost a separate species rather than as normal human beings who develop a treatable condition through no fault of their own. People with psychiatric problems often encounter discrimination in employment in particular.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) makes it illegal to discriminate against people with mental or physical impairments. The Americans with Disabilities Act was intended to bring more physically and emotionally challenged people into the labor force, but there are other provisions of the act which are intended to assure that the disabled have en environment in which they can function and that the services of government in particular are provided to the disabled as to other Americans.
One of the primary objectives of the act is to improve the employment situation for persons with disabilities by eliminating employer discrimination, and an implicit assumption is that problems faced by disabled workers derive from employer prejudice and discrimination. Critics note that there are costs to employers in accommodating the disabled in the workplace in some cases, and the act does not address this issue but instead leaves it up to the employer to incur such costs. The employment issues are addressed in Title I of the ADA (Baldwin 38-39).
Title II of the ADA requires state and local governments to make their programs and services accessible to people with disabilities. Critics see this as another unfunded mandate being placed on local and state governments. Among the requirements are wheelchair ramps, curb cuts to allow wheelchair access to municipal sidewalks, and bathrooms equipped for people in wheelchairs. Support...