American Disabilities Act (ADA) Titles

How many titles are involved in the ADA?

5 total - Title 1: Employment - Title 2: State and Local Government - Title 3: Public Accommodations - Title 4: Telecommunications - Title 5: Miscellaneous Provisions

Title 3: Public Accommodations

- This title prohibits private places of public accommodation from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. Examples of public accommodations include privately-owned, leased or operated facilities like hotels, restaurants, retail merchants, doctor's offices, golf courses, private schools, day care centers, health clubs, sports stadiums, movie theaters, and so on. This title sets the minimum standards for accessibility for alterations and new construction of facilities. It also requires public accommodations to remove barriers in existing buildings where it is easy to do so without much difficulty or expense. - It also requires that they take steps necessary to communicate effectively with customers with vision, hearing, and speech disabilities.

Title 2: State and Local Government

- Title II of the ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in all programs, activities, and services of public entities. 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 or not they receive federal financial assistance. It establishes detailed standards for the operation of public transit systems, including commuter and intercity rail (e.g., AMTRAK - architectural barriers to be identified; and the need for effective communication with people with hearing, vision and speech disabilities.

Title 5: Miscellaneous Provisions

The final title contains a variety of provisions relating to the ADA as a whole, including its relationship to other laws, state immunity, its impact on insurance providers and benefits, prohibition against retaliation and coercion, illegal use of drugs, and attorney's fees. This title also provides a list of certain conditions that are not to be considered as disabilities.

Title 1: Employment

This title 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.

Title 4: Telecommunications

This title requires telephone and Internet companies to provide a nationwide system of interstate and intrastate telecommunications relay services that allows individuals with hearing and speech disabilities to communicate over the telephone.