Legislation that has Advanced Intercultural Communication

            Throughout history, various cultural groups have not always been treated with the fairness and respect they deserve. However, in today's diverse society, specific laws have been established to protect those with cultural differences. Two pivotal pieces of legislation, the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, not only protect but also empower individuals from diverse backgrounds. These acts have advanced intercultural communications and allowed individuals to assert their rights confidently, inspiring hope for a more inclusive future.

            Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities. (Housing Discrimination Under the Fair Housing Act, n.d.). Following the Housing Act of 1949, civil activists have been at the forefront of pleas since the 1930s. This was to prevent people from being denied loans when buying a home, refusing to rent a house, or denying affordable housing to economically underprivileged families due to race, sex, religion, disability, or national origin, which led to the desegregation of society. This was also put into place to assist single women families from being abused or harassed sexually by their landlords. According to Preston (2022), Shellhammer v. Lewallen was one of the first cases to pave the way for a claim of sexual harassment to be considered actionable under the Fair Housing Act if it creates an offensive environment for the renter. The Fair Housing Act even extends to provide appropriate accessible housing to those with disabilities. Any living quarters that can house multiple families must have accessible entrances for those who are disabled. Under the Fair Housing Act, anyone who does not abide by the laws in place for this act can face criminal proceedings.  

These laws provide everyone the right to housing regardless of cultural differences, fostering a sense of community and understanding. They allow the intermingling of cultures through desegregation, leading to more diverse communities that improve intercultural communications by talking to and getting to know their neighbors. In communities that provide a Homeowner's Association, it is crucial for all residents to band together and communicate properly with their neighbors to fix the issues within that homeowner’s community. This collective effort is essential in promoting a harmonious and inclusive society. 

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. (What Is the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)?, n.d.). In this act, employers cannot ask a potential employee if they have a disability until an offer is made. Then, they must provide proper accommodations to allow those with disabilities to perform the required job functions. This also provides that governmental entities and services cannot deny programs to qualified individuals with disabilities. Public transportation services, such as city buses and public rail transit (e.g., subways, commuter rails, Amtrak) state that public transportation authorities may not discriminate against people with disabilities in their services. (Section 10.2: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 2021). Public places have standards to abide by to provide accessibility to those with disabilities, such as making accommodations with closer parking and ramps to the entrances, as well as electric doors and elevators. Telecommunication services must provide an option for communication to those with speech and hearing disabilities to be able to communicate.  

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 has made intercultural communications necessary for those with impairments, allowing them to sit with everyone else on public transportation or work as a team with coworkers. It also provides them with more accessible access to public places. This act has caused schools to integrate those with disabilities into regular classrooms, which teaches children better intercultural communication to carry out with them throughout the rest of their lives. Most importantly, it gives those with impairments a sense of normalcy by learning intercultural communication with others, enabling them to become more productive members of society. These laws have significantly improved the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, allowing them to participate more fully in society and fostering a sense of inclusion and respect.

            Implementing laws to protect culturally different individuals has safeguarded their rights and significantly improved intercultural communication. These laws have been critical in promoting understanding and respect among various cultural groups, creating a more inclusive and harmonious society. It is imperative to continue advocating for such laws to preserve cultural diversity and foster positive intercultural relations, and everyone's support is crucial in this ongoing effort.

References

Housing Discrimination Under the Fair Housing Act. (n.d.). HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing And Urban Development (HUD). https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview#_Who_Is_Protected

Preston, S. (2022). Being Persuaded to Sleep with Someone in Order to Have a Place to Sleep: The Eleventh Circuit’s Analysis of Sexual Harassment Claims Under the Fair Housing Act. Mercer Law Review, 73(4), 1419–1433.

Section 10.2: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. (2021). Omnigraphics, Inc.

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? (n.d.). ADA National Network. https://adata.org/learn-about-ada#:~:text=The%20purpose%20of%20the%20law,origin%2C%20age%2C%20and%20religion.