Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is landmark civil rights legislation that was passed in 1990. The goal of the ADA is to shape American society to include people with disabilities in several key areas, such as employment, state and local government programs and activities, and businesses and nonprofit organizations that are open to the public. The ADA has five titles:
- Title I covers employment.
- Title II addresses the programs, services, and activities of state and local government.
- Title III applies to businesses and nonprofits that are open to the public (the ADA calls these businesses and organizations public accommodations).
- Title IV established the relay system for telephone access for those who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing.
- Title V has requirements that apply to the ADA as a whole and how the ADA impacts other laws.
In 2008, Congress strengthened and clarified the ADA with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA).
Related Resources
Articles
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A History of Discrimination and the ADA
Find out why civil rights laws are important for protecting people with disabilities from discrimina... -
What Is the Americans with Disabilities Act?
The ADA includes a definition of disability and has five titles (sections) that forbid a wide range... -
ADA Overview
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an important civil rights law. It protects the rights o... -
Who Is Protected by the ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the civil rights of people with disabilities, but... -
The ADA and Transportation Providers
Consider why accessible transportation is so important and find an overview of requirements for publ...
Articles
- A History of Discrimination and the ADA
Find out why civil rights laws are important for protecting people with disabilities from discrimina... - What Is the Americans with Disabilities Act?
The ADA includes a definition of disability and has five titles (sections) that forbid a wide range... - ADA Overview
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an important civil rights law. It protects the rights o... - Who Is Protected by the ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the civil rights of people with disabilities, but... - The ADA and Transportation Providers
Consider why accessible transportation is so important and find an overview of requirements for publ... - The ADA and Employers
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers employment, as does the Rehabilitation Act, and thi... - The ADA and Health Care Providers
This article introduces basic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for health care pro... - About the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
What's in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design? How do these standards relate to the America... - How to File a Complaint
If you feel that the ADA, or a related law, is not being followed, you can file a complaint. This ar... - The ADA and Public Places
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has a lot to say about businesses that are op... - Parking & Transportation Overview
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has given us inspiration, guidance, and specific rules abo... - Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Title II of the ADA covers state and local governments. - Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 has several sections that mandate civil rights for people with disabi... - The Spirit of the ADA and Your Business
If you are merely complying with the ADA to meet a legal requirement, you’re missing the true purpos... - About Housing Accessibility
Although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers quite a few housing options, it does not c... - Health Care Overview
Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act cover how... - Employment Overview
Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to many employment practices, including... - ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA)
The ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) clarifies the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in... - About Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace
An important aspect of Title I of the ADA is the idea of a reasonable accommodation. An accommodatio... - Buildings & Facilities Overview
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has a lot to say about the physical objects that make up o... - The ADA and Parking
Accessible parking is a common feature in parking lots—and a common topic in questions posed on the... - Perceptions of Disability and the ADA
The way society thinks about and treats disabilities has changed over time. - Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)
The Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) mandates that buildings and facilities that are designed, built... - Equal Opportunity versus Affirmative Action
Equal opportunity and affirmative action are both important concepts to understand when learning abo... - Communicating with a Patient Who Has a Disability
Communication tips for health care providers to use when assisting patients who have disabilities - Service Animals Overview
This article offers a basic introduction to service animals and key things to know about them. - Fair Housing Act (FHA)
When the FHA was amended in 1988, an important change was to forbid discrimination against people be... - Health Care Providers and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act applies to many health care providers in the United States. - Related Laws Overview
To understand how US law relates to disability, it's important to be aware of more than just the ADA... - Public Places Overview
Title III is about non-government places where goods and services are sold. An important term in Tit... - The ADA and Service Animals
Summary: What’s a service animal? The answer depends on the situation, and this FAQ article explains... - The ADA and Service Animal Handlers
What should a service animal handler know about rights and responsibilities as a when they go into t... - Essential Functions
An essential explanation of essential functions in relation to employment. - State- and Territory-Based Accessibility Requirements
Learn about the relationship between federal ADA standards and state or local accessibility standard...
Blogs
- The ADA and Collective Bargaining Issues
- Blending the Science with the Art: Disability Service Providers and the ADA
- Title II and the ADA: You’re not alone!
- Historical concerns with H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017
- Housing Accessibility Conundrum: What do all of the technical assistance questions below have in common?
Blog Posts
- The ADA and Collective Bargaining Issues
- Blending the Science with the Art: Disability Service Providers and the ADA
- Title II and the ADA: You’re not alone!
- Historical concerns with H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017
- Housing Accessibility Conundrum: What do all of the technical assistance questions below have in common?
- Let Me In! What you should know about the Fair Housing Act and disability
- GET OUT THE VOTE! Equal access is the key.
- Weather Not So Delightful; Snow Removal and the ADA
- Accessible Beach Access Routes Free webinar Wednesday, June 28, 2017 from 1-2PM
- Issues, Impacts, and Implications of an Aging Workforce
- Air Travelers with Disabilities: Know Your Rights!
- Leave as a Reasonable Accommodation-The EEOC weighs in.
- Service Animals at Work in the Human Workplace by Joe Zesski and Angela Winfield
- E-Access to Health Care?
- Online on the Job: Employers and Web Access
- All the Buzz About Emotional Support Animals
- Employers and the ADA: Myths and Facts
- What the ADA Tells Us about Accessibility when Implementing COVID-19 Regulations
- Implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act in a Health Care Setting
- Spring has Sprung! Time to Consider what the Kids will do all Summer…
- Disability: The New Diversity for Talent Acquisition Practitioners
- Service Animals and Social Media (My Lassie Moment)
- Painting a deeper picture of disability inclusiveness: Changing organizational culture and climate
- Workplace Bullying, Harassment, and Disability
- Commemorating the 29th Anniversary of the ADA: Considerations for Small Employers
- What Does Access to Voting Mean?
- Heading to the shore.....
- Take me out to the ball game! Ticketing and accessible seating
- Recreation Access for Everybody!
- Title II of the ADA
- Parents of Children with Disabilities and Summer Camp Planning: 3 Things to Know
- The Critical Role of Managers in ADA Compliance and Disability Inclusiveness
- The Inclusive Fitness and Wellness Toolkit
- Did International Day of Persons with Disabilities get you thinking about disability in your organization?
- “Al Fresco” Dining and the ADA
- Playtime for all: Is your playground accessible?
- Supporting the Mission of Independent Living Centers
- Beat the Heat and Play Indoors!
- Are my accommodations very accommodating?
- The Northeast ADA Center is on Facebook
- Where do I go to learn about the ADA?
- Some things to know about essential job function
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Back to Basics
- Employer Characteristics Associated With Discrimination Charges Under the Americans With Disabilities Act
Pages
- Topic 4. Defining disability Obvious and non-obvious disabilities
The messages in this topic area are designed to gently challenge attitudes managers and supervisors... - Coronavirus Resource Guide
Here are important novel coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for people living in our region. You can a...
Pages
- Topic 4. Defining disability Obvious and non-obvious disabilities
The messages in this topic area are designed to gently challenge attitudes managers and supervisors... - Coronavirus Resource Guide
Here are important novel coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for people living in our region. You can a...
Infographics
Small Employer Survey Results #5

Top 5 Historic Moments in Disability Rights

Accessible Ballots

Service Animals Under the Fair Housing Act

Because of the ADA

Infographics
Small Employer Survey Results #5

Top 5 Historic Moments in Disability Rights

Accessible Ballots

Service Animals Under the Fair Housing Act

Because of the ADA

2016 United States Disability Statistics - Employment Rate Gap

2016 Puerto Rico Disability Statistics - Employment Rate Gap

2016 New York Disability Statistics - Employment Rate Gap

2016 New Jersey Disability Statistics - Employment Rate Gap

2017 Disability Statistics - Employment Full (US)

2017 Disability Statistics - Employment Full (NY)

2017 Disability Statistics - Employment Full (NJ)

2010 Disability Statistics - Employment Full (USVI)

2017 Disability Statistics - Employment Full (PR) - English

2016 United States Disability Statistics - Poverty Rate Gap

2016 Puerto Rico Disability Statistics - Poverty Rate Gap

2016 New York Disability Statistics - Poverty Rate Gap

2016 New Jersey Disability Statistics - Poverty Rate Gap

2017 Disability Statistics – Poverty Rate (US)

2017 Disability Statistics – Poverty Rate (NY)

2017 Disability Statistics – Poverty Rate (NJ)

2017 Disability Statistics – Poverty Rate (PR) - English

Important ADA Activists: Judith Heumann

Service Animals on Airplanes

Students with Disabilities & School Sports

Getting into Your Doctor's Office

Top Twelve Companies for People with Disabilities from DiversityInc, 2017

Accessible Camping

Small Employer Survey Results #1

Important ADA Activists: Justin Dart Jr.

Accessible Medical Equipment and the ADA

Accommodation at Doctor's Office

Trick or Treating: Accessible Walkways

Accessible Recreation Opportunities

Workplace Policies

Public Beaches

Small Business Statistics and Accommodation #1
![Infographic featuring a smiling woman dressed in a business-casual manner in front of a blank background.
Four out of five small businesses do not see the cost of accommodations as a barrier to employing people with disabilities.
Note: For the purposes of this study, we define small business as employer’s having 15- 500 employees.
Source: William Erickson (Yang-Tan Institute, Cornell University) analysis of Cornell/SHRM Survey 2011, Private employers only. N=525
“We really wanted to make sure that the employee joined us. So, we did what we had to [to accommodate].” -- Talent Acquisition & Human Resources Manager of a small information and technology company
Quote is from set of interviews with small business representatives conducted by the Northeast ADA research team to investigate small business needs around ADA implementation.
If you have any questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act, contact us at 1-800-949-4232](https://s3.amazonaws.com/production-northeastada-org/local/en/IG-2018-04-30-Biz5.jpg)
2016 United States Disability Statistics - Prevalence by Disability Type

2016 Puerto Rico Disability Statistics - Prevalence by Disability Type

2016 New York Disability Statistics - Prevalence by Disability Type

2016 New Jersey Disability Statistics - Prevalence by Disability Type

Good Service

Snow Removal: Homeowners

2017 Disability Statistics - Employment Simplified (US)

2017 Disability Statistics - Employment Simplified (NY)

2017 Disability Statistics - Employment Simplified (NJ)

2010 Disability Statistics - Employment Simplified (USVI)

2017 Disability Statistics - Employment Simplified (PR) - English

Accessible Sightseeing & Tours

What Does the ADA Mean to You?

Effective Communication in Healthcare

What Is the Yang-Tan Institute?

Mission of the Yang-Tan Institute

ADA: Title IV - Telecommunications Access

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Disability Mentoring Day

Who Called in 2019

Allergy Awareness

Student Rights in Postsecondary Education

ADA Accessible Parking 101

ADA Checklist: Places of Public Accommodation

"But I'm Grandfathered in..." "...Not so fast!"

Top Barrier Removal Priorities

Effective Communication in Health Care

Park Access Matters

Camp Access

ADA Requirements for Gyms

Small Business Statistics and Accommodation #2

Small Business Statistics - Virgin Islands

Small Business Statistics - Puerto Rico

Small Business Statistics - New York

Small Business Statistics - New Jersey

2016 United States Disability Statistics - Disability Prevalence

2016 Puerto Rico Disability Statistics - Disability Prevalence

2016 New York Disability Statistics - Disability Prevalence

2016 New Jersey Disability Statistics - Disability Prevalence

Service Animals on Campus

Service Animals in K-12 Schools

Service Animals in Retail

10 Common Jobs for Service Animals

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Service Dog Etiquette

Service Animals at Work: Helpful Tip #1

Service Animals at Work: Helpful Tip #2

5 Most Common Issues on ADA Charges in Puerto Rico

5 Most Common Issues on ADA Charges in New York

6 Most Common Issues on ADA Charges in New Jersey

Accessible Shopping: Service Animals

Accessible Shopping: Clear Paths

Accessible Shopping: Parking

Snow Removal: General

Snow Removal: For Business Owners

Aging and the ADA

Notable Developments in Disability Access in 2018

2017 Disability Statistics - Prevalence (US)

2017 Disability Statistics - Prevalence (NY)

2017 Disability Statistics - Prevalence (NJ)

2010 Disability Statistics - Prevalence (USVI)

2017 Disability Statistics - Prevalence (PR) - English

2017 Lack of Computer Access (US)

2017 Lack of Internet Access (US)

2017 Lack of Computer Access (NY)

2017 Lack of Internet Access (NY)

2017 Lack of Computer Access (NJ)

2017 Lack of Internet Access (NJ)

2017 Lack of Computer Access (PR) – English

2017 Lack of Internet Access (PR) – English

Getting Started With Accessible Word Documents

Getting Started with Accessible PDF Documents

Getting Started with Accessible PowerPoint Documents

Website Accessibility Tips

Accessible Stadiums

Service Animals in Stadiums

Accessible Sidewalks

Accessible Movie Theaters

Accessible Gardens

Accessible Flights & Transportation

Important ADA Activists: Ed Roberts

29th Anniversary of the ADA!

Disability Etiquette for Healthcare Providers

Five Titles of the ADA

ADA: Title IV - Relay Calls at 711

ADA: Title V - Miscellaneous Provisions

Small Employer Survey Results #2

Small Employer Survey Results #3

Small Employer Survey Results #4

Accommodations in the Lab: Hearing Impairments

Accommodations in the Lab: Visual Impairments

Accommodations in the Lab: Service Animals

Title II and Local Government

Title II: What is a Public Entity?

Title II and Cities

How People Contacted Us (in 2019)

Most Asked for TA Topics (2019)

Getting Older at Work

Aging in Place

Service Animals in a Medical Setting
