RS22219
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coverage of Contagious Diseases
October 15, 2008
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Summary
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. ??12101 et seq., provides broad nondiscrimination protection for individuals with disabilities in employment, public services, public accommodations and services operated by private entities, transportation, and telecommunications. As stated in the act, its purpose is "to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities." Due to concern about the spread of highly contagious diseases such as epidemic influenza1 and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB),2 questions have been raised about the application of the ADA in such situations. This report briefly discusses the Americans with Disabilities Act's statutory provisions relating to contagious diseases and relevant judicial interpretations. It will be updated as necessary.
