The Americans with Disabilities Act has been protecting disabled people's civil rights for more than 25 years, making sure they have the same opportunities as everyone else to be part of everyday American life. The ADA protects disabled people's ability to enjoy job opportunities, buy goods and services, and take part in state and local government programs and services.
People protected under the ADA are living with a physical or mental impairment that greatly limits one or more major life activities (walking, speaking, lifting, hearing, seeing, reading, sleeping, eating, concentrating or working). The ADA covers injured service members with a military disability, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, loss of a limb, vision or hearing loss, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Employment
The ADA makes it illegal to refuse to hire qualified people based on disability. Employers are also required to make reasonable adjustments for employees with disabilities, such as:
- Flexible scheduling
- A parking space close to an entrance
- Allowing service animals in the workplace
- Providing special equipment
Access to goods and services
Per the ADA, businesses that offer goods and services to the public must make adjustments to how they do business so that people with disabilities can be their customers. Businesses covered include:
- Grocery stores
- Bars and restaurants
- Medical offices
- Gyms
- Sports arenas and concert halls
All buildings built since the ADA went into effect must provide easy-to-use access to people who have movement or sensory disabilities. Changes businesses might make include:
- Reading a menu to someone with impaired vision
- Providing a large-print copy of a rental contract
- Installing a ramp
- Providing accessible parking spaces
- Lowering a paper-towel dispenser
Access to public services
State and local governments must also follow ADA rules and make changes to activities and services. Public services include:
- Public trade schools
- Community colleges
- Libraries
- Public hospitals
- Parks
- Public transportation
All programs must be available to disabled people, but not all buildings have to be accessible. Governments can choose whether to:
- Correct access problems at an inaccessible building
- Move a program to an accessible building
- Find another way to allow disabled persons to participate
Some resources for disabled service members include:
- The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. The USERRA says employers have to make reasonable efforts to help employees coming back to work become qualified for either the job they would have had if they hadn't left for military duty, or another similar job. More information is available at Military OneSource.
- A Guide to Disability Rights Laws. This document explains the other federal disability rights laws that cover housing, air travel, telephone use and federal programs.
- Independent living centers. The centers provide information about benefit programs and other services for disabled people. Find out how to contact your local center by calling 800-949-4232 (voice and TTY).
- State vocational rehabilitation agencies. The agencies provide services to help disabled people find a job. State contact information is available through the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation.
- The ADA website. More information is can be found on the website or by calling 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TTY).