Maryland Jury Instruction — 1.5.1 Americans With Disabilities Act 42 USC Sect. 12101 – 12117 Disparate Treatment Claim refers to a specific legal instruction provided to the jury in Maryland when a defendant is accused of violating the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) through disparate treatment. Disparate treatment refers to treating individuals with disabilities less favorably compared to others without disabilities. This jury instruction is designed to guide the jurors in properly understanding and evaluating the evidence related to the alleged violation of the ADA's provisions. It provides a framework for jurors to assess whether the defendant engaged in discriminatory behavior leading to unequal treatment based on an individual's disability. The instruction may include various elements depending on the circumstances of the case, such as: 1. Definition of Disparate Treatment: This section clarifies the concept of disparate treatment, emphasizing that it involves treating individuals with disabilities less favorably in employment, public accommodation, or other ADA-protected areas. 2. Elements of the Claim: Here, the jury instruction may outline the specific elements that the plaintiff needs to prove in order to establish a disparate treatment claim. This could include demonstrating that the plaintiff has a disability, that they were subjected to adverse treatment, and that the treatment was based on their disability. 3. Direct and Circumstantial Evidence: This section may explain to the jury that a disparate treatment claim can be supported by both direct and circumstantial evidence. Direct evidence includes explicit statements or actions demonstrating discrimination, while circumstantial evidence relies on inferences drawn from the surrounding circumstances. 4. Employer's Defense: If applicable, the jury instruction may mention available defenses for defendants, such as legitimate qualifications or business necessities, to justify disparate treatment under certain circumstances. 5. Burden of Proof: The instruction will inform the jury about the burden of proof, indicating that the plaintiff bears the initial burden of proving their claim by a preponderance of the evidence. It may also clarify that the burden shifts to the defendant to present arguments in their defense if the plaintiff successfully establishes a prima facie case. 6. Jury Deliberation: This section may guide the jury on how to deliberate and return a verdict based on the evidence and instructions provided. It is also worth mentioning that Maryland Jury Instruction — 1.5.1 may have variations based on specific aspects of the case or the court's instructions. Therefore, the exact wording or elements of the instruction can differ depending on the circumstances, the parties involved, and the court presiding over the case.