Affirmative_Action

RUNNING HEAD: Critique of ADA and Affirmative Action Paper Critique of ADA and Affirmative Action Pap BSHS/422 September 23, 2011 RUNNING HEAD: Critique of ADA and Affirmative Action Paper Abstract The following paper reflects the advantages and disadvantages of “Affirmative Action” and the “American Disability Act”. The paper will discuss the differences between the two and how they have influenced society. RUNNING HEAD: Critique of ADA and Affirmative Action Paper In 1961 the term Affirmative Action was introduced to the world by John F. Kennedy. During a time of racial inequality the act was put in place to improve employment and educational discrimination. Affirmative Action focused on the same equal rights for minorities that whites have; the same employment, education, and career advancements. During that time financial aid and scholarship funding was only given to non- minorities. Some believed it to be a secret society that only whites could benefit from. In the beginning stages affirmative action was envisioned as a temporary remedy (Brunner, para.4). Problems began to arise quickly. Doors were opening for minorities, but started closing for Caucasians. Most people think that only African Americans are protected under Affirmative Action. All minorities are protected because the law does not separate one minority from another. The American Disability Act was created in 1990 and signed in by President Bush senior. The act prohibits the discrimination of people with disabilities. The act protects anyone who suffers from physical or mental disabilities that prohibits them keeping a job. Employment, public entities, public accommodations, telecommunications and miscellaneous provisions are the five titles that the ADA focused on. Employment provided job, job training, and compensation. Public transportation such as “Amtrak” has been provided for use of the disabled. telecommunications devices have been improved and hearing devices have been upgraded. RUNNING HEAD: Critique of ADA and Affirmative Action Paper Pro’s and Con’s Affirmative Action has many advantages. It has opened doors for woman and minorities to attend ivy- league universities and compete to earn high grossing salaries. It has helped created culture diversity and culture awareness in the workplace. It allowed woman to have executive and corporate positions. In education it can open new areas of study that students were not originally interested in. It has gave all woman not just minorities a chance to advance in job opportunities throughout the world especially for Caucasian women. Affirmative Action gave the world an opportunity to vote for an African American president. Many people believe that companies and educational institutions lower their standards when they use affirmative action to fill seats in elite colleges and promote minorities in management positions. Many middle class white males thought that affirmative action caused “reverse discrimination”. The men were angry and wanted their white counterparts to have the jobs that minorities and women were now filling. Many minorities feel like affirmative action helps more middle class families rather than the poor families it was intended for. Some feel that affirmative action lowers the standard of accountability for employees and students or employees to perform better. Minorities feel that they can succeed without “Affirmative Action” while some Caucasians think that the only way minorities can get and maintain employment. RUNNING HEAD: Critique of ADA and Affirmative Action Paper The ADA There are several advantages of the American Disabilities Act employment being the most important. The act has provided increased access to public areas. The doors and hallways have larger entrances. They have provided business with power doors, curb-side depot, and closer handicap parking spots near the front of most business. The act has increased the admission of disabled students in the higher education intuitions. The act has provided job opportunities for people with disabilities. There are many people who think the American Disability Act has more disadvantages than advantages. The children who are disabled or suffer from a learning disability in public school are put in special education classes. Then there are children with behavioral issues who are tossed into special ed because the teachers are tired of dealing with them. The teachers spend more time discipline them than teaching. In the job market the employer sets the standard of what jobs the employee can handle based on opinion. Employee makes the wrong assumptions and gives the disabled employees only minimal directions out of fear of failure that the employee will make more mistakes. In conclusion both of these acts were created to help people. They have provided employment for many. Minorities and handicap people are discriminated against often. These acts were created to protect those people. Many will argue and declare that we should do away with them both. The same people who argued to take prayer out of schools and now look where we are. RUNNING HEAD: Critique of ADA and Affirmative Action Paper References Brunner, Borgna Affirmative Action History September 23, 2011 Retrieved from http://www.infoplease.com/spot/affirmative1.html Even Grounds, Accessibility Consulting September 23, 2011 Retrieved from http://www.evengrounds.com/articles/what-is-ada