4.9 The Virginians with Disabilities Act

• Library: Employment Law in Virginia (Virginia CLE) (2020 Ed.)

4.9 THE VIRGINIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

4.901 Overview. In 1985, the Virginia General Assembly enacted the Virginians with Disabilities Act (VDA) ³⁰⁰ to codify a policy that disabled individuals should be able to participate in the social and economic life otherwise enjoyed by the nondisabled and have the same opportunities to engage in

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productive employment. This chapter deals with the VDA only as it applies to employment issues, although the VDA also prohibits discrimination in public accommodations, education, voting, and housing.

4.902 Employers Covered. The VDA proscribes discrimination in employment or promotion practices by any employer in Virginia, regardless of its size or the nature of its business, against otherwise qualified disabled applicants or employees. The only exceptions are...