Special Situations

Technical assistance manual on the employment provisions (Title I) of the Americans With Disabilities Act

I. TITLE I: AN OVERVIEW OF LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Religious organizations are covered by the ADA, but they may give employment preference to people of their own religion or religious organization.

• For example, a church organization could require that its employees be members of its religion. However, it could not discriminate in employment on the basis of disability against members of its religion.

The legislative branch of the U.S. Government is covered by the ADA, but is governed by different enforcement procedures established by the Congress for its employees.

Certain individuals appointed by elected officials of state and local governments also are covered by the special enforcement procedures established for Congressional employees.