What Are My Rights if I Am Disabled?

Civil Rights & Disability · 9 min read

People with disabilities have strong legal protections under federal law — covering employment, housing, public accommodations, transportation, and more. Understanding these rights can help you advocate for yourself and take action when those rights are violated.

The Key Federal Laws

Who Qualifies as Disabled Under the Law?

Under the ADA, a person is considered disabled if they have:

• A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
• A record of such an impairment, or
• Are regarded as having such an impairment

Major life activities include walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, and caring for oneself. The definition is intentionally broad and covers many conditions including cancer, diabetes, PTSD, depression, and chronic pain.

Your Rights in the Workplace

Under the ADA, employers with 15 or more employees cannot:

• Discriminate in hiring, firing, pay, or promotions based on disability
• Ask about your disability before making a job offer
• Require medical exams before a conditional job offer
• Retaliate against you for requesting an accommodation or filing a complaint

Reasonable Accommodations at Work

Employers must provide reasonable accommodations unless doing so would cause undue hardship. Examples include:

• Modified work schedules or remote work options
• Accessible parking or workspace modifications
• Assistive technology or equipment
• Reassignment to a vacant position
• Additional leave beyond standard FMLA

To request an accommodation, notify your employer in writing. You do not need to use specific legal language — simply explain your limitation and what you need. Your employer may request medical documentation.

Your Rights in Housing

Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords and housing providers must:

• Make reasonable accommodations in rules and policies — for example, allowing a service animal in a no-pet building
• Allow reasonable modifications to the unit — for example, installing grab bars in the bathroom (tenant typically pays)
• Not refuse to rent to someone based on disability
• Not charge higher rent or deposits because of a disability

Your Rights in Public Places

Under ADA Title III, businesses and public accommodations must be accessible. This includes:

• Restaurants, hotels, theaters, and retail stores
• Doctors’ offices, hospitals, and pharmacies
• Museums, parks, and recreational facilities
• Schools and universities

Accessibility requirements include wheelchair ramps, accessible restrooms, service animal admission, and auxiliary aids for people with hearing or vision impairments.

Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals

What To Do if Your Rights Are Violated

If you believe you have been discriminated against based on disability:

• Document everything — keep records of incidents, communications, and witnesses
• File an EEOC complaint — for workplace discrimination, file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within 180 days
• File an HUD complaint — for housing discrimination, file with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• File an ADA complaint — with the U.S. Department of Justice for public accommodation violations
• Consult a disability rights attorney — many work on contingency for discrimination cases