Final answer:
The 1988 Amendments to the Civil Rights Act of 1968 did not include sexual preference as a protected classification. It expanded protection to families with children, the mentally handicapped, and those with certain communicable diseases, while sexual orientation protection came later through court rulings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1988 Amendments to the Civil Rights Act of 1968 included several protected classifications, adding safeguards against discrimination for specific groups. The Amendments extended protections to families with children and those with mental handicaps. It also ensured that individuals with communicable diseases, which are not transferable through occupancy, are protected under the law. However, sexual preference was not included as a protected classification at that time.
It is important to note that the Civil Rights Act primarily centered on prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. The protections for people with disabilities, such as those outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, further aimed to prevent discrimination and ensure reasonable accommodations in various aspects of public life, including employment.