The Americans with Disabilities ActThe 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.
To meet the goals of the ADA, the law established requirements for businesses of all sizes. These requirements went into effect on January 26, 1992. Businesses that serve the public must modify policies and practices that discriminate against people with disabilities; comply with accessible design standards when constructing or altering facilities; remove barriers in existing facilities where readily achievable; and provide auxiliary aids and services when needed to ensure effective communication with people who have hearing, vision, or speech impairments. All businesses, even those that do not serve the public, must comply with accessible design standards when constructing or altering facilities.
ADA Update: A Primer for Small Business (HTML) | (PDF) -- An illustrated guide to help small businesses understand the new and updated requirements of the revised ADA regulations. (updated 3/16/11)
An online ADA course for businesses -- Reaching Out to Customers with Disabilities
Ten Small Business Mistakes -- This thirteen-minute video identifies common mistakes that small businesses make when trying to comply with the ADA and addresses the importance and value of doing business with 50 million people with disabilities.
ADA Signing Ceremony -- This video documents the speech given by President George H. W. Bush when he signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law on July 26, 1990.
Talk to an ADA Specialist (800) 514-0301 voice | (800) 514-0383 TTY
ADA Publications for Businesses
Expanding Your Market
Maintaining Accessible Features in Retail Establishments (HTML) | PDF
Maintaining Accessibility in Museums (HTML) | PDF
Accessible Information Exchange: Meeting on a Level Playing Field (HTML) | PDF
Customers With Disabilities Mean Business (HTML) | PDF
Accessibility Benefits Older Adult Customers (HTML) | PDF
Accessible Customer Service Practices for Hotel and Lodging Guests with Disabilities (HTML) | PDF
Building a Diverse Customer Base (HTML) | PDF
Tax Incentives for Business (HTML) | PDF
Gathering Input from Customers with Disabilities (HTML) | PDF
ADA Business Briefs
ADA Business Brief:
Communicating with People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in Hospital SettingsPDF screen version - Communicating in Hospital Settings (148k)
PDF print version - Communicating in Hospital Settings (1100k)HTML version - Communicating in Hospital Settings
ADA Business Brief:
Communicating with Guests Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in Hotels, Motels, and Other Places of Transient LodgingPDF screen version - Communicating in Transient Lodging (88k)
PDF print version - Communicating in Transient Lodging (672k)HTML version - Communicating in Transient Lodging
ADA Business Brief: Assistance at Gas Stations (PDF) screen version (124k)
Assistance at Gas Stations (PDF) print version (676k)ADA Business Brief: Service Animals (PDF) screen version
Service Animals (PDF) print versionADA Business Brief:
ADATA : Readily Achievable Barrier Removal and Van-Accessible Parking HTML | PDF
Readily Achievable Checklist for Existing Business Facilities
ADA Guide for Small Businesses HTML | PDF
ADA Questions and Answers
ADA Standards for Accessible Design
Enforceable standards issued by the Department of Justice for new construction, alterations, renovations, and additions to businesses.
ADA Regulations for Businesses
(title III) - Department of Justice requirements for businesses and non-profit service providers
Information about the ADA and Employment
Learn More about the ADA -- Department of Justice ADA Publications
Other Federal Resources
ADA Home Page
Civil Rights Division Home Page
Privacy Policy
Last updated: March 16, 2011