What Is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law enacted in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The ADA establishes requirements intended to provide equal access to employment, public services, public accommodations, telecommunications, and other areas of public life.
The law is divided into five sections, known as Titles:
Title I – Employment
Prohibits disability discrimination in employment and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with disabilities.
Title II – State and Local Government
Applies to state and local government programs, services, and activities, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal access to public services.
Title III – Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities
Requires businesses and organizations that serve the public to provide accessible facilities, goods, and services. This is the section most frequently applicable to property owners, business operators, and commercial facilities.
Title IV – Telecommunications
Requires telecommunications services to be accessible to individuals with hearing and speech disabilities.
Title V – Miscellaneous Provisions
Contains various provisions relating to the ADA's implementation and enforcement.
Big Ideas, Real Impact. How Do Businesses Comply with ADA Requirements?
While every facility is different, the compliance process generally includes:
Understanding how ADA requirements apply to the property or business.
Conducting an accessibility survey or inspection.
Identifying barriers to accessibility.
Developing recommendations and priorities for barrier removal.
Implementing improvements to policies, procedures, and facilities.
Periodically reviewing accessibility as facilities and regulations evolve.
Title III: Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities
Title III applies to many businesses and organizations that provide goods or services to the public. Public accommodations are generally required to remove accessibility barriers in existing facilities when doing so is readily achievable.
Examples of public accommodations include:
Hotels, inns, and motels
Restaurants, bars, and cafés
Retail stores and shopping centers
Banks and professional offices
Hospitals and healthcare facilities
Theaters, stadiums, and entertainment venues
Museums, libraries, and galleries
Schools and educational facilities
Daycare centers and social service organizations
Health clubs, gyms, and recreational facilities
Commercial facilities that are not open to the public may also be subject to accessibility requirements under the ADA.
Private clubs and religious organizations are generally exempt from certain Title III requirements, although businesses operating within those facilities may still have compliance obligations.
How ADA Compliance Specialists Can Help
ADA Compliance Specialists provides accessibility inspections, consulting services, compliance evaluations, and expert guidance to help property owners, businesses, attorneys, and organizations better understand accessibility requirements and identify potential barriers.
For information regarding your specific facility or project, contact ADA Compliance Specialists at 305-898-6330 or fill out the contact form to schedule a consultation.