[IP] EEOC and diabetes and Amer. w/Disab. Act

[email @ redacted]

  <A HREF="http://www2.hrnext.com/Article.cfm/Nav/5.0.0.0.28595">EEOC Provides
Information on Diabetes and ADA</A>
EEOC Provides Information on Diabetes and ADA 

Thursday, October 30, 2003

 The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has released a <A
HREF="http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/diabetes.html">fact
 sheet</A> on how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to diabetes
in
the workplace. 


 The <A HREF="http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/diabetes.html">publication</A> is
designed to assist employers, as well as applicants and
employees with diabetes, in understanding their rights and responsibilities. 


"While there is a considerable amount of general information available about 
the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers and employees alike often ask 
questions about how the ADA applies in employment situations involving certain 
illnesses and conditions," says Cari M. Dominguez, chair of the EEOC. "This 
 new fact sheet focusing on people with diabetes is intended to be the first in
a
series to address specific types of disabilities."


 The <A HREF="http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/diabetes.html">fact sheet</A> covers
such topics as: when diabetes is considered to be a
disability under the ADA; when an employer is permitted to ask an applicant or 
 employee questions about his or her diabetes; types of reasonable
accommodations
employees with diabetes may need on the job; and how an employer should 
handle safety concerns about people with diabetes in the workplace.


According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 17 million 
 people living in the United States have diabetes, and incidence of the disease
is
on the rise. Significant legal developments in seventh and ninth circuit 
federal courts pertaining to ADA coverage of people with diabetes also have 
 generated interest in this topic, according to the agency. During the past five
 years, the EEOC has seen a 13 percent increase in the number of charges filed
under
the ADA alleging discrimination based on diabetes.


President Bush has proclaimed October 2003 to be National Disability 
 Employment Awareness Month, a time when private sector entities; federal, state
and
 local government agencies; and advocacy organizations showcase the abilities of
people with disabilities, and focus attention on removing barriers to 
 employment. This year's national theme is "America Works Best When All
Americans
Work."
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