What is the ADA and Who Does It Apply To?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990, marking a turning point in civil rights history. Its main goal is to protect people with disabilities from discrimination and ensure they have the same opportunities as everyone else in employment, education, transportation, and—most importantly—access to public and private spaces.

The ADA is based on a simple but powerful idea: the barriers are not in people, but in the environment. That is why it sets clear requirements to eliminate obstacles and create conditions that allow full participation in community life.

The Scope of the ADA

The law is divided into several Titles, each covering a specific area:

• Title I – Employment: protects workers and job applicants against discrimination and ensures reasonable accommodations.

• Title II – State and local governments: requires municipalities, agencies, and public services to be accessible, including sidewalks, public offices, and transportation systems.

• Title III – Public accommodations: applies to businesses and private entities that serve the public, such as restaurants, stores, hotels, pharmacies, hospitals, theaters, supermarkets, and banks.

• Title IV – Telecommunications: ensures equal access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

• Title V – Miscellaneous provisions: includes protections against retaliation, technical standards, and coordination with other civil rights laws.

  
  

Who Must Comply with the ADA?

• Large and small businesses: any business that opens its doors to the public, even a family-owned store, must remove barriers and provide accessibility.

• Governments and public services: all levels of government, without exception, are required to ensure accessibility in offices, programs, and transportation.

• New construction and renovations: every new project must be designed with accessibility in mind. And if an older building is renovated, the renovated areas must comply with ADA standards.

  
  

👉 A common myth is that the ADA only applies to buildings built after 1990. This is false. The ADA requires that even older structures make reasonable modifications to guarantee access.

Everyday Examples

• Going to a hospital where the bathrooms don’t fit your wheelchair is an ADA violation.

• Arriving at a restaurant where the only entrance has steps and no ramp is an ADA violation.

• A shopping mall with accessible parking spaces that are too narrow to open your car door is an ADA violation.

  
  

Why Is It Important for You?

The ADA is not just technical rules—it is a tool to claim your right to fully participate in society. It protects you from barriers that are often seen as “minor details” but in reality mean exclusion, pain, or risk.

Every time the ADA is enforced:

• A wheelchair user can enter a restaurant independently.

• A person with low vision can find their way thanks to tactile or braille signs.

• A deaf person can receive life-saving information during an emergency.

  
  

Accessibility opens doors, saves lives, and above all, acknowledges the dignity of every human being.

Conclusion

The ADA is not a privilege—it is a fundamental civil right. Its purpose is to ensure that people with disabilities are not invisible or excluded, but recognized as full citizens with equal opportunities.

📢 If you have encountered accessibility barriers in your community or at a business, do not hesitate to contact us:📧 Email: vlg@velezlawgroup.com💬 WhatsApp: +1 (787) 345-2082📞 Phone: (787)-422-1881