The
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) hypothetically protects people with HIV/AIDS from being publicly discriminated against by guaranteeing them federal civil rights protections in a variety of venues. HIV/AIDS is a condition which is associated with a great deal of social
stigma, and these protections are necessary to ensure that people suffering from HIV/AIDS are treated with fairness, consideration, and some basic decency. Unfortunately, these protections aren’t always enough, especially when they are deliberately ignored or defied.
The Justice Department reports that some trade schools may be illegally discriminating against applicants with HIV/AIDS by denying them from training programs for some occupations. Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez is imploring state attorney generals across the country to assist in combating the issue.
This sort of discrimination is really grotesque.
According to the Justice Department, some public and private trade schools for barbering, cosmetology, massage therapy, home health care work and other occupations, as well as state licensing agencies, may be illegally denying people with HIV/AIDS admission to trade schools and failing to issue occupational licenses to people because of their health status.
[. . .]
In his letter, Perez asked state attorneys general to review their jurisdictions’ admission and licensing criteria for trade schools and licensing agencies to ensure that they are compliant with ADA, and if not take steps necessary to become compliant.
Perez said, “It is critical that we continue to work to eradicate discriminatory and stigmatizing treatment towards individuals with HIV based on unfounded fears and stereotypes.” He added, “The ADA clearly protects individuals with HIV and other disabilities from this kind of exclusion or marginalization.”
Main Justice
I don’t think there’s any doubt that discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS is a pervasive and widespread problem, but to see the ADA so flagrantly violated is saddening on a number of levels. I hope that all 50 states attend to this problem and find a solution.