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The Americans with Disabilities Act?

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act?
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a federal civil rights law which protects people with disabilities from discrimination in the areas of employment, public accommodations, state and local government services, telecommunications and transportation. The ADA guarantees that Americans with disabilities have the same legal protection against discrimination as that provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex and religion.

Who enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act?
The U.S. Department of Justice enforces the ADA requirements in three areas:

• Title I: Employment practices by units of state and local government,
• Title II: Programs, services and activities of state and local government, and
• Title III: Public accommodations and commercial facilities (private businesses and nonprofit service providers.

Go to the U.S. Department of Justice website: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada for information about:

• Who is disabled?
• How do I know if I am protected by the ADA?
• What are my rights under the ADA?
• What is a “reasonable accommodation”?
• What should I do if I think I might need a reasonable accommodation?
• How do I request a reasonable accommodation?
• What should I do if I think my ADA rights have been violated?
• Is there any cost to file a charge?
• Do I need a lawyer to file a charge?
• What happens after I file a charge with the EEOC?

The ADA prohibits businesses from discriminating against people with physical and mental disabilities, visible as well as hidden. The law also requires accessible entry to buildings which contain places of public accommodation. The degree of access required depends on whether the structure is new, undergoing an alteration, or not experiencing any change at all.

What is the ADA Mediation Program?

In 1994, the Department of Justice established the ADA Mediation Program. Initially funded through the ADA Technical Assistance Program, the Mediation Program now operates under a contract with the Key Bridge Foundation. The mediation process brings parties together to resolve their differences through discussion and problem-solving. The mediator helps facilitate the dialogue, but is not the final decision-maker, arbitrator, or judge. For more information on ADA Mediation, go to the U.S. Department of Justice’s website: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/mediate.htm

How can I get more information?

The U.S. Department of Justice provides information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through a toll-free ADA Information Line. This service permits businesses, State and local governments, or others to call and ask questions about general or specific ADA requirements including questions about the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. ADA Specialists are available to provide ADA information and answers to technical questions. Contact the US Department of Justice:

• Address: 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington D.C. 20530
• Phone: 1-800-814-0301
• Web site: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

Who in Idaho can I contact about the Americans with Disabilities Act?

• By phone, you can call the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588 to get the contact information of your local ADA resource office.
• You can search for your local ADA resource office contact information in the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine online database.
  • Search by keyword: “Disability”