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 (public entities).
  • Title III applies to businesses and nonprofits that are open to the public (public accommodations).
  • Title IV established the relay system for telephone access for people who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing.
  • Title V has requirements that apply to both 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).

[ Read: ADA Overview ]


Related Resources

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  • Introduction to the Service Animal Toolkit
    07/27/2022- 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...
  • Northeast ADA Center Year in Review 2020
    01/28/2021- While COVID-19 was certainly one of the largest stories of 2020, other ADA items of note happened as well. Join the technical assistance team of the Northeast ADA Center as they review the year 2020....
  • ADA 101.2 Overview of Title I and Employment
    04/26/2021- This webinar is the third in the Northeast ADA's ADA 101 series. Intended for those new to the Americans with Disabilities Act or for those wanting a refresher, this webinar will focus on the employme...
  • ADA 101.1 Defining Disability
    03/26/2021- This presentation builds on the introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) given in the webinar ADA 101. Intended for those new to the ADA or for those wanting a refresher, this webinar...

Documents

Infographics

Movimiento para el Alcance de Vida Independiente (MAVI) in Puerto Rico
Movimiento para el Alcance de Vida Independiente (MAVI) in Puerto Rico
Social media banner with an image of the U.S. and New Jersey state flags in the background. The text says: Movimiento para el Alcance de Vida Independiente (MAVI) 
MAVI is an independent living center serving Puerto Rico. It supports the independence, equality, and inclusion of people with disabilities in the community.
Resources for Independent Living in New Jersey
Social media banner with an image of the U.S. and New Jersey state flags in the background. The text says Resources for Independent Living (RIL) RIL is an independent living center serving multiple counties in southern New Jersey. Its mission is to provide individuals with disabilities the means for self-choice, self-direction, and self-reliance in an inclusive society.
Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands
Social media banner with an image of the Virgin Islands flag in the background. The text says: Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands (DRCVI) DRCVI is the protection and advocacy agency for the US Virgin Islands. It works to provide legal advocacy services for people with disabilities living in the territory.
ADA Amendments Act of 2008
Social media banner with a background image of a worker taking a short break to check his blood glucose levels. The text says: What was the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 The act broadened the definition of disability in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It stated that a “bodily function” is a life activity and gave examples. It also clarified the ADA prohibition of employment discrimination. ADAAA
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
Social media banner with a background image of a universal access sign. The text says: What do the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design require? They require newly designed and constructed or altered state and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities to be readily accessible to—and usable by—individuals with disabilities.