Maine Jury Instruction — 1.5.1 Americans With Disabilities Act 42 USC Sect. 12101 – 12117 Disparate Treatment Claim is a detailed set of instructions given to the jury to understand and evaluate a legal case involving a claim of disparate treatment under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). This instruction is specifically relevant in Maine, where it outlines the legal framework and standards necessary to determine if a plaintiff has been subjected to unequal treatment based on their disability. The Maine Jury Instruction — 1.5.1 provides clear guidelines to help the jury understand the requirements under the ADA and properly evaluate a disparate treatment claim. It ensures that the jury has a comprehensive understanding of the relevant provisions of the ADA, which include Sections 12101-12117 of Title 42 of the United States Code (USC). The instruction instructs the jury to carefully examine the evidence and consider various elements of a disparate treatment claim, including: 1. Definition of Disparate Treatment: The instruction highlights the definition of disparate treatment, which refers to intentional and unequal treatment of an individual based on their disability, as prohibited by the ADA. 2. Differences in Treatment: The instruction explains that to establish a prima facie claim of disparate treatment, the plaintiff must prove that they were treated differently than others who are not disabled in a similar situation or circumstance. 3. Showing Intentional Discrimination: The instruction guides the jury to determine whether the disparate treatment was intentional, and if the plaintiff's disability was a motivating factor in the defendant's actions. 4. Accommodations and Reasonable Modifications: The instruction explains that the law requires employers, businesses, and other entities to provide reasonable accommodations or modifications to enable individuals with disabilities to have equal opportunities, as long as it doesn't cause undue hardship. 5. Adverse Employment Actions: If the disparate treatment occurred in an employment context, the instruction instructs the jury to consider adverse actions such as demotions, terminations, denials of promotions, or other actions that adversely affect the terms and conditions of employment. 6. Bona Fide Occupational Qualification: The instruction highlights that employers may assert a defense by demonstrating that an essential job requirement cannot be performed by an individual with a disability, even with reasonable accommodations. It is important to note that the Maine Jury Instruction — 1.5.1 is specifically tailored for disparate treatment claims arising under the Americans With Disabilities Act and may vary from other instructions relevant to different types of discrimination claims, such as disparate impact claims or claims brought under other statutes like the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In conclusion, Maine Jury Instruction — 1.5.1 Americans With Disabilities Act 42 USC Sect. 12101 – 12117 Disparate Treatment Claim provides a crucial framework for juries in Maine to evaluate claims of disparate treatment under the Americans With Disabilities Act. It ensures that the jury has a comprehensive understanding of the legal requirements and principles that govern such cases and helps them make an informed and impartial decision based on the evidence presented.