Do I have to hire someone if I know they have a disability?

The Americans With Disabilities Act protects “qualified individuals with a disability” from discrimination in regard to job applications, hiring, firing, pay, and other terms and conditions of employment. The Act generally applies to employers with 15 or more employees. Violation of the ADA can be costly to employers. A “qualified individual with a disability” is defined in the ADA as a “person with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the job in question.” An experienced employment attorney can help you understand how this complicated statute applies to your situation.