One of the additional forces which create racial discrimination is disability. An estimated 20.8% of the African American community was said to be in some form of disability, higher than the general disability rate of 19.4% in the country. The impairment could be either one of physical or mental.

The Social Security Disability Act defines it as the "inability to adopt in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months."

While the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) defines disability as any one with:

1. a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual

2. a record of such an impairment

3. being regarded as having such an impairment

According to the United States Department of Education, disability includes any of the following:

• Autism

• Deaf-blindness

• Deafness

• Emotional disturbance

• Hearing Impairment

• Mental retardation

• Multiple disabilities

• Orthopedic impairment

• Specific learning disability

• Speech or language impairment

• Traumatic brain injury

• Visual impairment

More than a decade ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits "private employers, state and local governments and employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, or in the terms, conditions and privileges of employment."

Further, the United States government requires agencies and organizations with government funding to provide accessibility programs and services.

A person under the age of 65 can claim under Social Security disability benefits. Upon reaching this age, it will take the form of retirement benefits in the same amount.

The Social Security Administration pays disability benefits under the following programs:

• The Social Security disability insurance program - This program pays benefit to you and certain family members if you have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.If your child’s disability started before the age of 22, he/she may qualify for benefits on your earnings record.

• The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program - This program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. One can only imagine the complexities and hassle of personally filing social security disability claims. And even if you were able to do so by yourself, the most probable thing that could happen is that your claim would be denied.

In this regard, it is best to secure the services of a Los Angeles disability lawyer to help you succeed in your claim in any lawful way possible.