從平權到融入──簡介美國身心障礙者法之發展與挑戰【月旦時論】 試閱
From Equality to Integration: An Overview of the Development of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Its Legal and Policy Challenges
美國身心障礙者法於1990年立法,該法禁止在公共生活中對於身心障礙者的歧視,包括就業、教育、大眾運輸,以及任何對一般大眾開放的公私場所,用以促進身心障礙者與他人享有一樣的權利及機會。其後國會通過的2008年美國身心障礙者法修正法,則是確立在美國身心障礙者法下就「身心障礙」之範圍應採取涵蓋較廣泛的解釋。本文回顧前述法律之立法過程及其要旨,以及美國身心障礙者權益所面臨的挑戰,發現即便有反歧視法的存在,今日身心障礙者社會參與的藩籬依舊存在,身心障礙者權利的落實不僅止於平權,而須更進一步追求融入於社會。
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in the 1990s, which prohibits discriminations based on disabilities in all fields of public life, including employment, education, public transportation, and all governmental or private places open to the public, for the purpose of letting disabled people enjoy rights and opportunities equally. The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 further confirmed the broad approach of interpreting the definition of “disability” under the ADA. This article provides an overview of the development and the content of the ADA, as well as the challenges it faces today. Even if the antidiscrimination law has been existing and implemented, the social barriers hindering people with disabilities to effectively participate remain. The rights of disabilities have to further pursue social integration, rather than simply stopping at legal equality.
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