Disabilities Act Failed to Fulfill Its Mandate

Far from fulfilling one of its central promises of bringing disabled adults into the mainstream of American life by removing barriers to getting jobs, the Americans With Disabilities Act has to date only served to heighten the awareness of workers rights (“A Job Still to Be Done,” July 26).

While the disabled is a group the federal government defines to include nearly 49 million people, two-thirds of working-age Americans with disabilities remain jobless, according to surveys taken recently. Yet, while the ADA’s benefits to society far outweigh any burden on employers, deep-seated discrimination against the disabled implies that it may take a long time for the ADA to make any headway regardless of the $100 billion a year for welfare to people who should be working.

Since the current expansion for the ADA now covers 85% of the work force against the previous 77% of U.S. workers, the ADA can do much more than benefit a small group of people nationwide.

KEN SALAZAR, Banning