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What is the ADA?

The ADA is a Comprehensive National Civil Rights Law

A COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL RIGHTS LAW FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

Requires equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in government and private sector employment and services.
Bans discrimination on the basis of disability.

What is the Role of the Department of Rehabilitation?

The Department of Rehabilitation has been designated as the lead agency in California's efforts to implement the ADA. This includes providing:

Public Information
Training
Technical Assistance

Covers Five Areas Affecting Daily Living:

TITLE I - EMPLOYMENT

Employment practices cannot discriminate against qualified people with disabilities in the application, recruitment, hiring or any other terms of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - 1-800-669-4000; 1-800-800-3302 TDD

TITLE II - PUBLIC SERVICES

Prohibits state and local government from discriminating against people with disabilities or from excluding participation or denying benefits of programs, services or activities.

U.S. Department of Justice - 1-800-514-0301; 1-800-514-0383 TDD

TITLE III - ACCESS TO BUSINESSES

Private businesses must not discriminate in the goods, services, facilities, procedures and privileges, advantages and accommodations offered to the public.

U.S. Department of Justice - 1-800-514-0301; Voice l-800-514-0383 TDD

U.S. Department of Transportation - (202) 366-9305; (202) 755-7687 TDD

TITLE IV - TELECOMMUNICATIONS

All common carriers of telephone services must offer non-voice relay services which interface with voice services.

Federal Communications Commission - (202) 632-7260; (202) 632-6999 TDD

TITLE V - MISCELLANEOUS

Depicts the ADA's relationship to other laws. Explains implementation of each title and notes amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

U.S. Department of Justice - 1-800-514-0301; 1-800-Sl 4-0383 TDD

Impact and Intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is about changing attitudes. It is about assuring the inclusion of people with disabilities into the social, political, and economic mainstream of society. The ADA requires us to change the way society thinks about people with disabilities. No longer is it appropriate to focus on what people cannot do, but rather on what they can do.

"Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down. "

President George Bush
July 26, 1990

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