Subtopics Americans with Disabilities Act Employee Rights Employers' Responsibilities Hiring People with Disabilities Job Accommodations Job Search Laws & Regulations Small Business & Self-Employment Social Security Statistics Workers' Compensation

Disability Resources

Americans with Disabilities Act

• DOL Web Pages on This Topic

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, and governmental activities. The ADA also establishes requirements for telecommunications relay services.

The Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides publications and other technical assistance on the basic requirements of the ADA. It does not enforce any part of the law.

In addition to the Department of Labor, four federal agencies enforce the ADA:

• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces regulations covering employment.
• The Department of Transportation enforces regulations governing transit.
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces regulations covering telecommunication services.
• The Department of Justice enforces regulations governing public accommodations and state and local government services.

Another federal agency, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB), also known as the Access Board, issues guidelines to ensure that buildings, facilities, and transit vehicles are accessible and usable by people with disabilities.

Two agencies within the Department of Labor enforce portions of the ADA. The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has coordinating authority under the employment-related provisions of the ADA. The Civil Rights Center is responsible for enforcing Title II of the ADA as it applies to the labor- and workforce-related practices of state and local governments and other public entities. See the Laws & Regulations subtopic for specific information on these provisions.

DOL Web Pages on This Topic

• ODEP Publications
  The Office of Disability Employment Policy provides brochures on public accommodations, employment, telecommunications, and other key provisions of the ADA.
• What To Do If You Think You Have Been Discriminated Against
  Provides guidance on what to do if you think you are the victim of employment-related discrimination based on disability.

Related Web Pages on This Topic

• Civil Rights Information from DisabilityInfo.gov
  Information about employment, housing, transportation, and many other rights afforded to people with disabilities.