• Several laws protect employees from disability discrimination.man in wheelchair image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, five federal laws protect people with disabilities from workplace discrimination. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that limits a person's ability to function normally in major life activities, according to the Department of Labor. Disability discrimination is treating a person less favorably because of his disability, according to the City of Alexandria's website.
  
  

Americans with Disabilities Act

• The Americans with Disabilities Act protects individuals with disabilities against discrimination in employment, including pay, benefits, hiring, firing and promotions. In the workplace, the ADA may require an employer to make a reasonable accommodation for a disabled employee, such as retrofitting doors to be wheelchair accessible or providing special equipment to help her do the job. All private-sector employers with 15 or more employees must follow the ADA, as well as state and local government agencies regardless of the number of employees.
  
  

Rehabilitation Act

• The Rehabilitation Act provides funding for rehabilitation and independent living programs aimed at enabling those with a disability to gain more life skills. In Section 501, the Rehabilitation Act mandates all government agencies take actions to advance the careers of qualified individuals with disabilities.
  
  

The Workforce Investment Act

• The Workforce Investment Act provides federal employment programs and adult education opportunities. Section 188 prohibits disability discrimination against employees of programs that receive Workforce Investment Act funding.
  
  

The Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act

• The The Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act requires employers with federal contracts or subcontracts not to discriminate against disabled Vietnam veterans during the application, hiring and promotion process, as well as when delegating benefits and pay. VEVRAA also requires that government contractors or subcontractors provide employment opportunities to veterans with disabilities.
  
  

Civil Service Reform Act

• The Civil Service Reform Act prohibits discrimination against employees and job applicants with disabilities in most federal agencies.