The Americans with Disabilities Act The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the 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 gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities like those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. The ADA is divided into five titles (or sections) that relate to different areas of public life. In 2008, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) was signed into law. The ADAAA became effective on January 1, 2009. The ADAAA made several significant changes to the definition of disability. The changes in the definition of disability in the ADAAA apply to all titles of the ADA. Title I—Equal employment opportunity for individuals with disabilities Title I is designed to help people with disabilities access the same employment opportunities and benefits available to people without disabilities. Employers must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants or employees. A reasonable accommodation is any modification or adjustment to a job or the work environment that will enable an applicant or employee with a disability to participate in the application process or to perform essential job functions. Employers with 15 or more employees must comply with this law. Title II—Nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in state and local government services Title II prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in all programs, activities, and services of public entities. It applies to all state and local governments, their departments and agencies, and any other instrumentalities or special purpose districts of state or local governments. It clarifies the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, for public transportation systems that receive federal financial assistance, and extends coverage to all public entities that provide public transportation, whether they receive federal financial assistance. It establishes detailed standards for the operation of public transit systems, including commuter and intercity rail (example: Amtrak).
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