The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects applicants and employees from discrimination based on their relationship or association with an individual who has a disabling condition. Generally speaking, there are three types of associational discrimination claims:
- Expense discrimination: Employer fears that association with disabled person will be costly to the employer.
- Disability by association: A relationship with a disabled person means employee may also be disabled.
- Distraction: A relationship with a disabled person will prevent the employee from completing job responsibilities.