Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a civil rights legislation that affects some 43,000,000 Americans with disabilities. It is the purpose of this act to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The ADA applies to all institutions of higher education regardless of receipt of federal funds.

Provisions of the ADA

Title I covers nondiscrimination in employment activities.

Title II of the ADA is divided into two subparts. Subpart A requires that state and local government entities and programs be made accessible to persons with disabilities. Subpart B requires that public transportation systems be made fully accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.

Title III covers the accessibility and availability of programs, goods, and services provided to the public by private entities. Title III also contains the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) that specifies guidelines for construction and renovation.

Title IV requires that telecommunication services be made accessible to persons with hearing and speech impairments and has specific reference to the development of telecommunications relay systems and closed-captioning technology.

Title V of the ADA contains miscellaneous provisions that apply to all of the other titles as well. Enforcement guidelines including how to file a complaint are described.