Federal Employment Policy Research For Persons With Disabilities (1973-2000)

The pursuit of equal employment rights has always been an important part of the anti-social discrimination of American citizens.In the 1970 s,the handicapped set off the Disability Rights Movement that influenced by the Black Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Liberation Movement.On the basis of the social security plan,the U.S Federal Government and the Congress have issued corresponding employment policies to protect the handicapped from employment discrimination in the special circumstances of handicapped.The most important laws on the employment of handicapped in the 20 th century were the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.Until now,these two laws still play an important role in American society.On the basis of sorting out the background and content of the two bills,this paper focuses on the employment status of the handicapped after the promulgation of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,the effect of the Federal employment policy,and the disputes generated.This paper is composed of Introduction,Text and Conclusion.The main part is divided into three parts.The first part traces the historical discrimination of the handicapped.In combination with the definition of handicapped with persons in international and Federal laws,the definition of qualified individual with a disability is described,and the research objects of this paper are determined.Analyzes the living conditions of Americans with disabilities who were isolated,discriminated against and marginalized before the 1970 s,and explore the struggle course of handicapped to pursue the rights of equal employment.The second part explores the introduction of employment policies that prohibit discrimination against the handicapped.To sort out the policy on the handicapped before the promulgation of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,and analyze the necessity of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as the first law prohibiting discrimination against the employment of disabled persons,and the different attitudes of the Federal Government and Congress to the law.Focus on the implementation effects and existing problems after the enactment of the law.The third part further analyzes the expansion of employment policies for the handicapped.On the basis of inheriting most contents of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 expanded the employment protection for the disabled persons,marking the initially formed of the U.S.Federal Government employment system for the handicapped.Around " the qualifications of persons with disabilities" range of specific provision.The federal government prohibits employment discrimination of expanded to private enterprises,and interpret its significance.It also explores how the Federal Government has consolidated its enforcement of the law and the controversy caused by the employment policy.In view of the social development in the second half of the 20 th century,the living conditions of handicapped have improved,but the employment participation rate of disabled persons has not improved significantly after the implementation of the two laws.Judicial interpretation has made the two laws have limited protection for the disabled person.However,the employment policy for the disability is "privileged policy" controversy has emerged widely.In fact,the weak position of the disabled group has not really changed,and its root is the pragmatic philosophy inherited by the American society,the idea of emphasizing the success of relying on individual ability,and the selfish egoism that has affected the American political system.The employment policy for individual with handicapped must continue to be improved in the United States.