Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which celebrated its 25th anniversary on July 26, 2015, gives individuals with disabilities the same types of civil rights protections that are provided to individuals in other protected groups. Modeled after the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the ADA expands protections from federal contractors and grantees to private employers (of 15 or more employees), state and local governments, employment agencies, and labor unions. The act prohibits discrimination in all employment practices (e.g., job application procedures, hiring, firing, promotion, compensation, and training). The ADA also prohibits discrimination in public accommodation and requires transportation and communication systems to facilitate access for people with disabilities.

Since the act’s passage in 1990, the courts, regulators, and Congress issued interpretations in an effort to define the ...