SOC 402 Week 2 Discussion 1

SOC 402 Week 2 Discussion 1

 What specific physical and emotional challenges do the increasing number of disabled veterans face in the workplace?

The most common physical and emotional challenges that the disabled veterans face in the workplace are according to EEOC burns, stress disorders, loss of hearing, amputated limbs, and spinal cord injuries among others.

What reasonable accommodations could disabled veterans legally request to address these challenges?

Two laws that are aimed at protecting the veterans with disabilities exist; Title 1 of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA).

USERRA requires that employers are to give full support to the veterans returning to an employment, to ensure that they are adequately qualified for a specific position. The Act also protects the re-employment rights of the veterans who are living the civilian employment to work in the uniformed service. In case a veteran suffers from a disability incurred or otherwise aggravated in their times in service, the employer is obliged to put in place some considerable efforts to cope with the disability and return the veteran to the position in which they would have been employed if they had not performed military service. If the veteran is not sufficiently qualified for that position owing to a disability, it is the duty of the employer to offer a position that the veteran qualifies for, including offering training for the position at no cost.

There are other groups that are also protected by the ADA. Does the law protect each of the groups listed below? What types of accommodations might be requested for each group? 

The aging work force: There exists no specific protection for this group. However, there exists an age discrimination Employment Act (ADEA) which prevents against the harassment and discrimination of those aged 40 and above.

New mothers: In case a woman becomes unable to carry out her duties owing to conditions related to pregnancy, her employer is obliged to treat her as it treats other temporarily disabled employee.

Blind and deaf workers: Written materials that are available in formats that are a requirement. The employer is obliged to provide equipment that are modified to suit a veteran with these disabilities.

References

EEOC.  Understanding Your Employment Rights under the American Disabilities Act (ADA): A Guide for Veterans. Retrieve from: http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/ada_veterans.cfm