Disability discrimination

• Author: Bryan P. Neal & Micah R. Prude
• Pages: 889-957

DISABILITY

DISCRIMINATION

21-1

CHAPTER 21

DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION

BY BRYAN P. NEAL & MICAH R. PRUDE

21:1. GOVERNING STATUTES, REGULATIONS, AGENCY INTERPRETATIONS

A. Applicable Statutes

1. Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Americans with

Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008

2. Rehabilitation Act of 1973

3. Chapter 21 of Texas Labor Code

B. Administrative Regulations and Agency Interpretations

1. EEOC Regulations

2. EEOC Interpretive Guidance Accompanying Regulations

3. EEOC Compliance Manual and Other Guidance

4. EEOC Technical Assistance Manual

5. Chapter 21 Regulations

21:2. COVERAGE ISSUES

A. Covered Entities

B. Individual Liability

C. Covered Employees

21:3. ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES

21:4. EXISTENCE OF DISABILITY

A. “Disability” Def‌ined

B. “Actual Disability”

1. Physical or Mental Impairment

2. Major Life Activities

3. “Substantially Limits ” Major Life Activity

a. Substantially Limited in Major Life Activity Other Than Working

b. Substantially Limited in Major Life Activity of Working

4. Use of Experts

C. “Record-of” Disability

D. “Regarded-as” Disability

E. Exclusions From Def‌inition of Disability

1. ADA

2. Chapter 21

DISABILITY

DISCRIMINATION

Texas Employment Law 21-2

21:5. QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL

A. Basic Standards Def‌ined

B. Essential Functions

1. Determining What Is Essential

2. Attendance and Work Location

C. Safety Issues/Direct Threat

1. Burden of Proof

2. Assessing Direct Threat

3. Risk to Disabled Employee

D. Effect of Applications for Social Security or Other Disability Benef‌its

E. Refusing Reasonable Accommodation

21:6. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

A. Def‌inition

B. Burden of Proof

C. Duty Does Not Apply to Regarded-As Disabilities

D. Knowledge of Limitation From Disability Required

E. The Accommodation Process

1. Employee’s Burden to Request

2. Selection of Particular Accommodation

3. Changing Accommodations

F. Particular Accommodations

1. Job Restructuring

2. Transfers to Other Positions and Light Duty

a. ADA

b. Chapter 21/Rehabilitation Act

3. Leaves of Absence

G. Accommodations That Conf‌lict With Collective Bargaining Agreements

H. Accommodations That Conf‌lict With Non-Collectively Bargained Seniority Systems

I. Effect of Employer Exceeding Reasonable Accommodation Requirement

J. Undue Hardship Defense

21:7. OTHER TYPES OF UNLAWFUL DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION

A. Disparate Treatment

1. Elements and Methods of Proof

2. Causation Standard

a. ADA

b. Chapter 21

3. Mixed-Motive Analysis

4. Adverse Action Related to But Not “Because of” a Disabilit y

B. Disparate Impact and Qualif‌ication Standards

1. ADA

2. Chapter 21

C. Harassment

D. Association With Individual With a Disability

E. Employer Qualif‌ication Testing

F. Medical Examinations and Inquiries

1. Limitations Apply Only to Qualif‌ied Individuals With Disabilities

2. Post-Hiring Medical Examinations and Inquiries

3. Conf‌identiality

4. Drug Testing

5. Requirement of Harm

G. Discrimination Through Contractual Arrangements

DISABILITY

DISCRIMINATION

21-3 Disability Discrimination

H. Discrimination in Employee Benef‌its

1. Health Insurance Benef‌its

2. Disability Insurance Benef‌it Plans

a. Benef‌it Parity

b. Qualif‌ied Individual Requirement

3. ADA Title III Issues

4. Special Insurance Protections

I. Retaliation

1. Elements and Burdens of Proof

2. Protected Activity

3. Adverse Employment Action

4. Causal Connection

J. Interference, Coercion, or Intimidation

21:8. REMEDIES