from Gale Encyclopedia of American Law

Encyclopedia of Business Ethics and Society, 2018

2023. Many lawyers and advocates look to the law as the tool to effectuate change, especially for the betterment of historically marginalized groups. There are countless examples of the law serving as a tool to combat discrimination, from legal challenges to segregation by the civil rights movement, to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). But racism, ableism, and ageism limit the legal rights for marginalized communities. This article will identify the law's limitations and its impact on older adults, people with disabilities, and communities of color, and will identify the ways it can be utilized to combat those inequities.