By John M. Husband and Bradford J. Williams

After two decades of fairly predictable defense verdicts premised upon threshold coverage issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 (“ADAAA”) has upended the playing field.  With the ADAAA, proposed regulations, and emergent case law now defining “disability” into virtual irrelevance, the battleground for disability discrimination claims has shifted to the issues of: (1) “qualified individual” with a disability; (2) “reasonable accommodation” and “undue hardship;” and (3) the motivation behind challenged employment actions.

A recent paper prepared for the American Bar Association’s 4th Annual Section of Labor & Employment Law Conference by Holland & Hart attorneys John M. Husband and Bradford J. Williams outlines the nature and scope of the ADA’s coverage and protections; surveys changes made by the ADAAA, proposed regulations, and emergent case law; and describes innovative methods employers are using to facilitate the interactive process.  The paper also highlights specific coverage and accommodation issues arising in the context of mental impairments.

To read the paper, please visit: http://www.hollandhart.com/articles/YouJustMightFindYouGetWhatYouNeed.pdf.

For more information about the authors, please visit:  John Husband or Bradford J. Williams