What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and where can I learn more about it?
Signed into law on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is wide-ranging legislation intended to make society more accessible to people with disabilities.
The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, telecommunications, and the U.S. Congress.
It contains four main sections, or (in legalese) "titles," dealing with (Title I) employment; (Title II) state and local government activities (including public transportation); (Title III) public accommodations; and (Title IV) telecommunications.
The text of the ADA is available in its entirety on the US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division ADA page, along with numerous resources such as an ADA Q and A, resources, links, and reference guides for small businesses, employers, and public accommodations. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's ADA Primer for Small Business is another useful tool.
RCIL staff have long-standing expertise regarding the ADA, public accommodations, accessible architecture, and common-sense solutions to the various questions that arise around making our community accessible to everyone. Please don't hesitate to contact us with your questions or to set up a consultation with one of our ADA experts.