Suppose a city library denies entry to every wheelchair user because staff assume wheelchairs are disruptive. Because the city acts, equal protection applies, and the irrational stereotype can also support a constitutional challenge. The ADA may separately require accessible entry and reasonable modification. If a covered private employer refuses a modest schedule adjustment that would allow a qualified employee with a disability to perform the job, the Equal Protection Clause ordinarily does not apply because there is no government action, but the ADA may. Rational-basis review does not leave people with disabilities wholly unprotected, and the ADA does not make every difficult condition automatically unlawful. In the analysis, identify the actor first, apply equal protection to governmental classification, and then test statutory coverage, qualification, requested accommodation, and any defined defense. The Constitution and statute can produce different questions and remedies.

Video lesson: Equal Protection: Crash Course Government and Politics #29