Signed in 1990, the ADA ensures equal opportunity for people with disabilities in the following areas:
· Employment
· State and local government services
· Businesses that are public accommodations or commercial facilities
· Transportation
Title I of the act prohibits employment discrimination against people with disabilities by businesses having 15 or more employees, or by State and local governments. Claims of discrimination are handled by the EEOC.
Title II of the act covers discrimination against people with disabilities in state and local government services, programs, and activities. All State or local government programs, services, and activities are covered including:
· Public education and social service programs
· State legislatures and courts
· Town meetings
· Police and fire departments
· Motor vehicle licensing
· Employment services
· Public transportation programs
State and local governments must run their programs so that they are readily accessible to and usable by people with disabilities when viewed in their entirety. When designing and constructing new facilities, or altering current facilities, it must be done in accordance with the Standards for Accessible Design adopted in the ADA. All standards excluding transportation are enforced by the Department of Justice. Transportation claims are enforced by the Department of Transportation.
Title III of the act handles discrimination against people with disabilities in places of public accommodation and commercial facilities. Places of public accommodation include private businesses, hotels, theaters, restaurants, convention centers, doctor’s offices, retail stores, museums, libraries, private schools, health spas, and day care centers. Businesses whose operation affects commerce are considered commercial facilities. This includes office buildings, factories, and warehouses. Places of public accommodation must make reasonable modifications in policies, practices and procedures that deny equal access to individuals with disabilities, unless a fundamental change would result in the goods and services being provided. Places of public accommodation must remove architectural and structural communication barriers in existing facilities where readily achievable, and provide goods and services through alternative measures when removing obstacles is not readily feasible. When public accommodations or commercial facilities design and construct new facilities, or alter current facilities, they must do so in accordance with the Standards for Accessible Design. Title III is enforced by the Department of Justice. For more information on the ADA and its programs visit the following websites.
