South Dakota Jury Instruction — 1.5.1 Americans With Disabilities Act 42 USC Sect. 12101 – 12117 Disparate Treatment Claim The South Dakota Jury Instruction — 1.5.1 pertains to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) claims in cases involving disparate treatment. This instructs the jury on how to interpret and apply the provisions of the ADA, particularly sections 12101 to 12117 of Title 42 of the United States Code. The ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals with disabilities in various areas of employment, including hiring, promotions, and job assignments. In a disparate treatment claim under the ADA, an employee or job applicant alleges that they were treated differently or subjected to adverse employment actions solely because of their disability. This instruction assists the jury in understanding the legal elements and standards required to establish such a claim. The South Dakota Jury Instruction — 1.5.1 further outlines the key elements that the plaintiff must prove to succeed in a disparate treatment claim under the ADA. These may include: 1. Disability: The plaintiff must demonstrate that they have a disability as defined by the ADA. The ADA defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. 2. Adverse Employment Action: The plaintiff must show that they suffered adverse employment actions, such as termination, failure to hire, demotion, denial of promotion, or significant changes in job conditions due to their disability. 3. Causation: The plaintiff must establish a causal link between their disability and the adverse employment actions. They need to demonstrate that their disability was a motivating factor behind the employer's decision. 4. Similarly, Situated Employees: The plaintiff must prove that they were treated less favorably compared to similarly situated employees who do not have disabilities. The comparison is crucial to identifying whether the disparate treatment occurred solely due to the plaintiff's disability. It is important to note that there may be variations or additional South Dakota Jury Instructions addressing specific aspects or circumstances related to a disparate treatment claim under the ADA. These additional instructions may provide further guidance on issues like reasonable accommodation, defenses available to the employer, or the calculation of damages in case of a successful claim. Overall, the South Dakota Jury Instruction — 1.5.1 Americans With Disabilities Act 42 USC Sect. 12101 – 12117 Disparate Treatment Claim provides a comprehensive framework for jurors to understand the legal requirements and considerations involved in determining liability in ADA disparate treatment cases.