ADA Home Page

U.S. Department of Justice

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities, such as buying an item at the store, going to the movies, enjoying a meal at a local restaurant, exercising at the health club, or having the car serviced at a local garage.

Website: www.ada.gov
 

ADA Technical Assistance program

U.S. Department of Justice

The Department of Justice ADA Technical Assistance Program provides free information and technical assistance directly to businesses, non-profit service providers, state and local governments, people with disabilities, and the general public. Our technical assistance services provide the most up-to-date information about the ADA and how to comply with its requirements. In addition to the major activities discussed below, we undertake broad and targeted outreach initiatives to increase awareness and understanding of the ADA to reach specific audiences at the local level, including hotels and motels, restaurants, small businesses, builders, mayors and town officials, law enforcement, people with disabilities, and others.

Website: www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/taprog.htm

ADA Settlements and Consent Agreements

U.S. Department of Justice

Under the Freedom of Information/Privacy Act (FOIA) Branch of the Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Department of Justice operates an electronic reading room for viewing ADA documents including settlements and consent agreements. This Internet site presents a sampling of settlements and consent agreements that have been concluded since late 1995.

Website: www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/settlemt.htm
 

Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division

U.S. Department of Justice

The primary goal of the Disability Rights Section is to achieve equal opportunity for people with disabilities in the United States by implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Through its multi-faceted approach toward achieving compliance with the ADA, this Section works to make this goal a reality. The Section's enforcement, certification, regulatory, coordination, and technical assistance activities, required by the ADA, combined with an innovative mediation program and a technical assistance grant program, provide a cost-effective and dynamic approach for carrying out the ADA's mandates. The Section also carries out responsibilities under Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, and Executive Order 12250. Section activities affect six million businesses and non-profit agencies, 80,000 units of state and local government, 49 million people with disabilities, and over 100 Federal agencies and commissions in the Executive Branch.

Related Links:
A Guide to Disability Rights Laws: May 2002
This booklet provides a brief overview of 11 Federal laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities and provides information about the Federal agencies to contact for more information.
Website: www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm

ADA Guide for Small Towns

An illustrated guide that presents an informal overview of some basic ADA requirements and provides cost-effective tips on how small towns can comply with the ADA.

Website: www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/smtown.htm

ADA Title II Highlights
This article is an outline of the key requirements of Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act. This section of the law covers "public entities," which include any state or local government and any of its departments, agencies, or other instrumentalities. All activities, services, and programs of public entities are covered, including activities of state legislatures and courts, town meetings, police and fire departments, motor vehicle licensing, and employment.
Website: www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/t2hlt95.htm

 ADA Title III Highlights

This article outlines the Title III requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act. This section of the law covers "public accommodations," which are private entities that own, operate, lease, or lease to places of public accommodation. Other private entities offer certain examinations and courses related to educational and occupational certification (schools and training facilities). Places of public accommodation include over five million private establishments, such as restaurants, hotels, theaters, convention centers, retail stores, shopping centers, dry cleaners, laundromats, pharmacies, doctors' offices, hospitals, museums, libraries, parks, zoos, amusement parks, private schools, day care centers, health spas, and bowling alleys. Commercial facilities are nonresidential facilities, including office buildings, factories, and warehouses, whose operations affect commerce. Entities controlled by religious organizations, including places of worship, are not covered.

Website: www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/t3hilght.htm

Americans with Disabilities Act: Questions and Answers

This booklet gives an overview of the ADA's requirements for ensuring equal opportunity for people with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities and transportation, and requiring the establishment of TDD/telephone relay services.

Website: www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/q&aeng02.htm