Now Hear This

Businesses continue to struggle with issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal law designed to protect people with disabilities against discrimination.

"Any private-sector employer that employs 15 or more people is required to comply with the ADA," says Cheryl Taylor, an attorney and publisher of The Compliance Report, a newsletter covering employment and bias issues.

And it's a good idea to be in compliance with legislation, even though you may be exempt at present. "Small companies should learn to play by the rules early so they can prevent a lawsuit from occurring later," Taylor says. "Managers should be trained on how to identify and avoid inappropriate conduct when interviewing, hiring and employing a disabled person. And employees should be aware of what constitutes appropriate workplace conduct."

Resources to help you deal with ADA compliance and people with disabilities include: your state human resources commission; the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (202-376-6200); Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (800-949-4232); and Taylor & Associates (301-931-8877 or motions@erols.com).

This article was originally published in the November 1997 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Now Hear This.