Overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in many areas, including jobs, schools, transportation, and many public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA is divided into five titles (or sections).
Visit The ADA National Network for more information on the ADA.
Titles of the ADA
The ADA is broken up into five “Titles”. These Titles are the general areas the law applies to. The Titles are listed below in order of one through five.
Employment
Title I of the ADA ensures equal access to employment for individuals with disabilities. This title includes the right to accommodations in the workplace.
State and Local Government Access
Title II of the ADA ensures equal access of individuals with disabilities to local and state government services and buildings.
Access to the Community
Title III of the ADA ensures equal access for individuals with disabilities to services, buildings, and activities that are open to the public.
Captioning and Relay Services
Title IV of the ADA requires telephone companies to establish a telecommunication service (Relay: 711). It also requires that Federally Funded Public Service Announcements are captioned.
Other
Title V of the ADA protects the general rights of individuals with disabilities. This section is a “catch-all” for the rights not directly relating to the first four titles of the ADA.
Additional Links
To learn about past how DRI has celebrated the signing of the ADA in the past, visit the following link.
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