The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued two revised publications addressing the employment of veterans with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The updated guides reflect amendments to the ADA which took effect in 2009, significantly broadening the definition of "disability" and the types of impairments that may require reasonable accommodations. The Guide for Employers explains the protections for veterans with service-connected disabilities under the ADA and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and explains how employers can prevent disability-based discrimination and provide reasonable accommodations. The Guide for Veterans answers questions that veterans with service-connected disabilities may have about the protections to which they are entitled and explains the types of accommodations that may be appropriate to help them obtain and successfully maintain employment. With thousands of military personnel returning from service each year and one million expected to return over the next five years, many with service-connected disabilities, the EEOC's updated guidance is expected to help recent veterans and employers alike better understand their rights and obligations.
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