The Americans with Disabilities Act makes it illegal for private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies, and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.

Disability discrimination includes treating individuals differently in employment because of their disability, perceived disability, or association with an individual with a disability. Some examples of disability discrimination may include:

• Discriminating on the basis of physical or mental disability in various aspects of employment, including: recruitment, firing, hiring, training, job assignments, promotions, pay, benefits, lay off, leave and all other employment-related activities.
• Harassing an employee on the basis of his or her disability.
• Asking job applicants questions about their past or current medical conditions, or requiring job applicants to take medical exams.
• Creating or maintaining a workplace that includes substantial physical barriers to the movement of people with physical disabilities.
• Refusing to provide a reasonable accommodation to employees with physical or mental disability that would allow them to work.

You are also protected if you are a victim of discrimination because of your association (family, business, social or other relationship) with an individual with a disability.