Introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Table of Contents
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability just as other civil rights laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. The ADA guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to enjoy employment opportunities, purchase goods and services, and participate in state and local government programs.
The ADA Protects People with Disabilities #
A person with a disability is someone who:
- has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities,
- has a history or record of such an impairment (such as cancer that is in remission), or
- is perceived by others as having such an impairment (such as a person who has scars from a severe burn).
If a person falls into any of these categories, the ADA protects them. Because the ADA is a law, and not a benefit program, you do not need to apply for coverage.
The ADA Protects People with Disabilities #
A person with a disability is someone who:
- has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities,
- has a history or record of such an impairment (such as cancer that is in remission), or
- is perceived by others as having such an impairment (such as a person who has scars from a severe burn).
If a person falls into any of these categories, the ADA protects them. Because the ADA is a law, and not a benefit program, you do not need to apply for coverage.
The ADA Prohibits Disability Discrimination in Many Areas of Life #
To prevent discrimination against people with disabilities, the ADA sets out requirements that apply to many of the situations you encounter in everyday life. Employers, state and local governments, businesses that are open to the public, commercial facilities, transportation providers, and telecommunication companies all have to follow the requirements of the ADA.
The ADA is broken up into five different sections, which are called titles. Different titles set out the requirements for different kinds of organizations. For example, Title I of the ADA covers requirements for employers, and Title II covers requirements for state and local governments. You can find the relevant title of the ADA noted next to each type of organization below.
Businesses That Are Open to the Public #
Section of the ADA: Title III
Applies to:
Businesses and nonprofits serving the public. Examples of businesses and nonprofits include:
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Retail stores
- Movie theaters
- Private schools (including housing)
- Doctors’ offices and hospitals
- Day care centers
- Gyms
- Organizations offering courses or examinations
Privately operated transit. Examples of privately operated transit include:
- Taxis
- Intercity and charter buses
- Hotel shuttles
- Airport shuttles
Commercial facilities need only comply with requirements of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Examples of commercial facilities include:
- Office buildings
- Warehouses
- Factories
General requirement: Businesses must provide people with disabilities an equal opportunity to access the goods or services that they offer.
The ADA contains specific requirements for businesses that are open to the public. Learn more about these requirements: ADA Primer for Small Businesses.
Other Disability Rights Laws
Although the ADA applies to many areas of life, it does not cover everything. In some situations, disability discrimination is prohibited by laws other than the ADA.
While the ADA applies to certain types of housing (e.g., housing at private and public universities and public housing programs), the Fair Housing Act applies to many types of housing, both public and privately owned, including housing covered by the ADA.
- If you have a complaint about disability discrimination under the Fair Housing Act: File a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Disability discrimination during air travel is prohibited by the Air Carriers Access Act.
- If you have a complaint about disability discrimination during air travel: File a complaint with the Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection.
Religious organizations are exempt from the requirements of Title III of the ADA. For information about how the ADA’s employment obligations apply to religious entities, visit the EEOC’s website. Additionally, religious groups or organizations may still have to comply with state/local building codes or other laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability.