Final answer:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed by Congress in 1990, ensures equal employment opportunities and accessible public accommodations for the disabled, prohibiting discrimination and mandating reasonable accommodations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1990, Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which guarantees equal employment rights and access to public businesses for the disabled. This landmark legislation prohibited employers from discriminating against disabled employees and required businesses to make reasonable accommodations for the disabled so they were able to complete the demands of these jobs. Prior to the ADA, disabled Americans faced significant challenges in employment and accessibility; the Civil Rights Act of 1964 did not cover disability rights. However, advocacy and earlier legislation, such as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975, set the stage for the ADA, which expanded opportunities and protections for people with disabilities across both public and private sectors. The ADA was a significant step toward ensuring equal opportunity for all Americans, regardless of disability.