Final answer:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is the law that requires accessibility to services and products like telephones and operator services for individuals with disabilities, while also prohibiting discrimination and mandating reasonable workplace accommodations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is a civil rights law that mandates public services and facilities to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. This inclusive legislation ensures that all people with disabilities have access to a range of products and services, including telephones, cell phones, pagers, call-waiting, and operator services, which were often inaccessible before the law's enactment. It also prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in various areas, including employment, requiring employers to make reasonable accommodations so that disabled individuals can fulfill their job responsibilities.
Furthermore, the ADA led to the implementation of practical accommodations such as ramps on sidewalks, Braille instructions, and more accessible door handles, dramatically improving the daily lives of people with disabilities. By providing tax credits to businesses that comply and imposing fines on those who do not, the ADA has become a cornerstone for equality and accessibility in the United States.