Structure of the ADA
The following information is excerpted from the Core Curriculum developed by Adaptive Environments, Inc. for the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.
Please note: The ADA has been amended several times since its passage in 1990 and is undergoing continuous interpretation in the court systems. Contact your regional DBTAC at 1-800-949-4232 V/TTY for the most up-to-date information.
There are 5 titles of the ADA:
- Title I covers employment.
- Title II Part A covers public entities: state and local government.
- Title II Part B covers public transportation provided by public entities.
- Title III covers private entities: public accommodations, commercial facilities, examinations and courses related to licensing or certification, and transportation provided to the public by private entities.
- Title IV covers telecommunications.
- Title V contains miscellaneous provisions.
Title I - Employment
Title I covers obligations of employers. It became effective July 26, 1992 for employers with 25 or more employees and July 26, 1994 for employers with 15 or more employees, and is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Title II Part A - State and Local Governments
Title II Part A applies to all state and local governments. It became effective January 26, 1992, and is enforced by the Department of Justice and designated federal agencies.
Title II Part B - Public Transportation
Title II Part B applies to public transportation, and is enforced by the Department of Transportation.
Title III - Private Entities
Title III covers public accommodations, commercial facilities, private entities that offer examinations or courses related to licensing or certification, and transportation provided to the public by private entities. The title became generally effective January 26, 1992, and is enforced by the Department of Justice.
Title IV - Telecommunications
Title IV establishes a national telecommunications relay service, which was required to be established by July 26, 1993, and mandates that public service announcements provided or funded in whole or in part by any federal agency be closed captioned. This title is enforced by the Federal Communications Commission.
Title V - Miscellaneous Provisions
Title V contains provisions applying to all titles of the ADA. Among other requirements it:
- requires several federal agencies to develop technical assistance plans for covered entities,
- requires a report on wilderness areas and individuals with disabilities,
- covers Congress and the agencies of the legislative branch,
- encourages the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
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