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Articles

  • The ADA and Public Places
    Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has a lot to say about businesses that are open to the public.
  • Public Places Overview
    Title III of the ADA discusses public accommodations. This article gives an overview of ADA-related goals and rules for public accommodations, and it links to longer articles that provide more depth o...
  • 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 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? This article answers these questions and more.
  • The ADA and Service Animal Handlers
    What should a service animal handler know about rights and responsibilities when they go into the community with the animal?
  • What Is the Americans with Disabilities Act?
    The ADA defines disability and has five titles (sections) that forbid a wide range of discrimination.

Fact Sheets

  • Places of Lodging (PDF)
  • Beach Access Routes (PDF)
    What makes a public beach accessible? View photos and get an overview of important standards and best practices in this fact sheet from the Northeast ADA Center.

Ask About the ADA

Infographics

ADA Checklist: Places of Public Accommodation

Infographic titled 'ADA Checklist: Places of Public Accommodation' featuring a graphic of a supermarket storefront and a bulleted list. Are the entrance and approach to the entrance accessible? Can visitors get to the goods or products offered in an accessible manner? Are toilet rooms accessible? Visit www.adachecklist.org to learn more. If you have any questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act, contact us at 1-800-949-4232 Share on Facebook

Because of the ADA

Infographic titled 'Because of the ADA.' The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law on July 26, 1990. The ADA is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including access to jobs, schools, transportation, and public and private places that are open to the general public. The law is divided into five titles (or areas) where the various protections for people with disabilities are spelled out. The goal of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Here are just a few of the positive effects that can be observed today, all because of the ADA. Are you going out into the community? You can park in an accessible parking space. You can take an accessible bus. You can easily enter stores because of a curb ramp and doors that are accessible. You can navigate through stores along a clear path of travel. Signage at areas like bathrooms is clear and concise with raised characters and Braille. Drinking fountains are accessible. The checkout counter and service counters you encounter are lower and more accessible. You can bring your service animal with you. Are you going to the movies? theaters offer assisted listening devices to help you hear better. Are you making a phone call? You can use a relay service to assist you with communication. Are you going to a concert or sporting event? You have access to wheelchair accessible seats alongside your friends and family. Are you going to work? You can request a change in how things are typically done from your employer, called a reasonable accommodation, to assist you with work tasks. Are you going to vote or to a town meeting? Your polling place and municipal programs, offices and meetings must be accessible to you. Are you going to the Doctor? You can request an interpreter to communicate more efficiently. You can request medical information in a manner that works for you. Nearly 37 million people in our country have a disability and nearly 25% of today's 20 year olds will experience disability in their lifetime. (ADA National Network, ADA Anniversary Toolkit) 'This Act is powerful in its simplicity. it will ensure that people with disabilities are given the basic guarantees for which they have worked so long and hard. Independence, freedom of choice, control of their own lives, the opportunity to blend fully and equally into the rich mosaic of the American mainstream.' -President George H.W. Bush, ADA Signing Ceremony, July 26, 1990 Share on Facebook

Access to Public Services

Infographic that says: Access to Public Services Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to public entities and their programs, services, and activities. The ADA defines a public entity as: - Any state or local government - Any department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a state or states or local government - The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and any commuter authority What are some examples? - Town libraries - City police departments - County government offices - Public schools and universities - City subways Share on Facebook

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

Infographic titled 'But I'm Grandathered in... ...Not so fast!' featuring a graphic of a cafe on a city street. The ADA requires places of public accommodation to remove barriers to access when it is readily achievable to do so, even if construction predates the passage of the ADA. Visit www.adachecklist.org to learn more If you have any questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act, contact us at 1-800-949-4232 Share on Facebook

Public Beaches Must Be Accessible to People with Disabilities

Infographic that says: Public Beaches Must Be Accessible to People with Disabilities. Beach facilities - such as parking lots, toilet rooms, concessions, and showers - must be accessible and located on an accessible route. Share on Facebook

What is a public accommodation?

Social media image that says: What is a public accommodation? A place of public accommodation is an establishment open to the public where commerce occurs, like a hotel, store, or café under Title III of the ADA. Share on Facebook

Blog Posts

  • Historical Concerns with H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017
    April 27, 2017
    My friend and colleague Jim DeJong was part of an email chain in which we were discussing the ADA Education and Reform Act. He told a story of the “making of” Title III of the ADA. I asked...
  • Are my accommodations very accommodating?
    June 16, 2016
    With summer vacations on our mind here at the Northeast ADA Center, we've been thinking about hotels. More importantly it has us thinking about accessible hotels. While the original Americans with Dis...
  • No Dogs Allowed? Service Animals at Work
    January 24, 2018
    One of the most frequently asked about topics at the Northeast ADA Center is service animals. Often, these questions relate to service animals in businesses and public spaces; or about the right to ha...
  • Employers and the ADA: Myths and Facts
    February 18, 2016
    This material was published by the US Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark federal law that protects the rights of peopl...
  • The ADA and Small Business Owners: What You (Really) Need to Know
    February 16, 2017
    “I own a small business that is grandfathered from the ADA because our building is old. Sure, I would like to be more accessible, but legally I’m not required to make any changes because...

Webinars

  • Introduction to the Service Animal Toolkit
    July 27, 2022
    Do customers bring dogs into your business claiming they are service animals, emotional support animals, comfort dogs, or therapy dogs? Join Chris Sweet, technical assistant for the Northeast ADA Cent...

News