Yes. But then you have to hire a lawyer after just losing your job, survive during the time the lawsuit will take, win the lawsuit ("plaintiff was let go because position was redundant"), collect, resume your job or job hunt with a "trouble maker" label.

I really wish HN contributors would not suggest the legal system as a solution for these types of problems, it's totally unrealistic.

I think you're underestimating the power and lobby of the disability association in America. There's a reason ADA exists in the first place.

If it's a clear cut case of discrimination, their association would help out. And the bad PR alone would not be worth to the company.

We are in a new world when it comes to corporate PR. Companies are doing so much horrible shit right now, I don’t think you can expect bad PR to have any effect at all.

IMO this is a pretty clear-cut discrimination case. I'm aware that lawsuits can be problematic for quite a few reason, but just eating it up would be a just as horrible suggestion.

Aside from practical concerns such as time and money, these kind of battles can be very emotionally draining. Some of the most stressful experiences I've had in life is when some company or person did me a serious injustice and it's hard to get your rights.

I found it's better to let go, for my own sake. It's very stressful and very easy for the situation to consume you, which isn't healthy and on balance you may be worse off if you factor this in. Everyone is different, and other people may experience these kind of things different, but I've seen the same in various other people, both publicly and in my private life.

Of course this really sucks and is very unfair. But it doesn't change it.

Fair enough. Let's just hope said acquaintance was in a position to handle it without regrets.

He got lucky; as I mentioned in another comment [1], which links to more details on what happened, he was quickly rehired in a different role. But for a short time before then, he went through everything that comes with unfairly losing a job. And again, it might not have ended so well.

[1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28028099

> this is a pretty clear-cut discrimination case.

Its clear cut discrimination, sure, but discrimination based on disability is only prohibited if it is against “a person with a disability who meets all of a position's legitimate job requirements and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.” [0]

The question isn't “is this discrimination” but is the requirement to use the software in question a “legitimate job requirement” and/or an “essential function” that the worker cannot do without accommodation, and for which no reasonable accommodation is available with which the worker would be able to perform the function.

[0] https://www.eeoc.gov/foia/eeoc-informal-discussion-letter-44

I’m not saying “eat it up”, but are you volunteering to pay their legal bills? Provide emotional and financial support during a gruelling trial?