DISABILITY LAW - PROBLEMS AND PROPOSALS

Background. Medically disabled persons have traditionally encountered obstacles when seeking and maintaining employment. Integration of the medically disabled worker is the goal of recent legislation that direc ts removal of physical barriers and protects disabled workers from dis crimination. The major force driving this social policy is the America ns With Disabilities Act (ADA). Methods. Current disability laws and r elated judicial opinions are reviewed. Primary attention is focused on the ADA. Results. Legislation addressing employment discrimination ha s serious deficiencies. Medical support of this important social polic y is hampered by vague statutory definitions and seemingly capricious judicial opinions Conclusion. Disability laws require precise language identifying specific, qualifying medical conditions. The laws should require comprehensive medical assessment that objectively establishes a connection between a medical disorder and severe, sustained impairme nt. Some currently included conditions, such as personality disorders, should be considered for exclusion.