There are many laws to help prevent discrimination in the workplace in California. Most of them are federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. Each law protects certain groups of people. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission explains the ADA protects anyone who has a disability or anyone with a relationship or association to someone with a disability.
A disability can be physical or mental. However, it must impair you in a way that limits your major life activities. It does not cover minor or temporary issues. For example, a broken bone is not something the ADA covers, but it does cover paralysis due to a spinal injury.
In addition, the ADA provides you with protection if you are simply seen as having a disability. For example, if you have a disfigurement but it does not impair your life activities, then you do not have a disability under the ADA. However other people may perceive you as having a disability, so therefore, the ADA does protect you.
The ADA protects you against unfair practices during the hiring process and the course of your employment. Do keep in mind, though, that you cannot use ADA protection if you do not meet the requirements for the job. For example, if an employer does not hire you for a position because you do not have the required education, then this is not protected under the ADA. The discrimination must be because of your disability. This information is for education and is not legal advice.