Final answer:
An individual with disabilities is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal law that prohibits discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations in employment and access to public spaces. The ADA covers a broad range of disabilities and is enforced by agencies such as the EEOC.
Step-by-step explanation:
An individual who has physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities is considered disabled by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is a federal law. The ADA was passed in 1990 and is designed to prevent discrimination in various areas, including employment, for individuals with disabilities. Under the ADA, an employer must provide reasonable accommodations for the performance of a job for an employee with disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship to the business.
Additionally, the ADA requires public buildings to be accessible to individuals with disabilities and prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment for companies with more than fifteen employees. The scope of the ADA is wide, covering not just physical disabilities, but also other conditions such as alcoholism, former drug use, obesity, or psychiatric disabilities.
It's important to note that the ADA is enforced by various agencies, with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) being responsible for enforcing the provisions related to employment discrimination.