The landmark 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by employers, public accommodations, state and local governments, public and private transportation, and in telecommunications. DREDF advocates for clients with ADA discrimination claims and represents them in court. We also provide training and education about the ADA, and work to strengthen the law through policy monitoring, development and advocacy.
To see specifics on what businesses must do to meet the requirements of the ADA see our Access Equals Opportunity page.
DREDF ADA cases and legal briefs.
For information about DREDF’s trainings on the ADA, go to Training and Education.
DREDF ADA Articles, Papers and Analyses:
- “The History of the ADA: A Movement Perspective” by DREDF’s Directing Attorney, Arlene Mayerson
- “The ADA and Models of Equality” by Arlene Mayerson, DREDF Directing Attorney and Silvia Yee, DREDF staff attorney.
- “Achieving Accessibility: How the Americans with Disabilities Act Is Changing the Face and Mind of a Nation” by Silvia Yee, DREDF staff attorney and Marilyn Golden, DREDF Policy Analyst.
- “ADA Paratransit Eligibility: How To Make Your Case” by Kevin Irvine, Senior Advocate, Equip for Equality, and Marilyn Golden, DREDF Policy Analyst
- “Defining Disability in the Aftermath of Sutton: Too Disabled or Not Disabled Enough? The Supreme Court Creates a Catch-22” by Arlene Mayerson, DREDF Directing Attorney
- “A Comparison of ADA, IDEA, and Section 504“
- “ADA Bursts Barriers But Not Stereotypes” by Arlene Mayerson, DREDF Directing Attorney
- Achieving Access to Small Businesses: a Different Perspective DREDF’s response to The Sacramento Bee series highlighting ADA lawsuits filed by a small group of individuals in California
ADA Restoration Legislation Process
Congress passes the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act (9.17.08)
ADA Amendments Act (S. 3406) introduced in the Senate by Senators Harkin and Hatch (8.1.08)
New Draft ADA Restoration Bill (6.16.08)
On May 23, 2008, negotiators for the disability and business community agreed on draft ADA restoration language that will replace HR 3195 as it was introduced on July 26, 2007. The following documents present the new negotiated language, DREDF’s position on the May 23, 2008 proposal, and a response to our position from attorneys involved in the process.
The May 23, 2008 ADA Restoration Act Negotiated Language
ADA Restoration Bills Introduced
On July 26, 2007, the 17th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Congressmen Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) and James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wisconsin), and Senators Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania)introduced “The ADA Restoration Act of 2007.” The legislation responds to U.S. Supreme Court decisions that restricted civil rights protections available to people with disabilities in employment settings. DREDF and other leading disability groups have been working with Congress to address these rollbacks. This legislation will restore the promise of the ADA to end unfair employment discrimination.
House Bill (HR 3195)
Senate Bill (S 1881)
Resources on the ADA Restoration Act (updated 9.19.07)
- ADA Restoration: An Overview
- ADA Restoration FAQ
- ADA Restoration: Talking Points
- Chronology of ADA Restoration
- ADA Legislative History
- Case Stories: The Impact on Average Americans
- Disability under Section 504 vs. the ADA
Debate on the ADA Restoration Act
The introduction of the ADA Restoration Act on July 26, 2007, has rallied the disability and civil rights communities to press Congress to pass this important legislation. Critics of the bill are sharing their point-of-view with members of Congress, as well.
2.14.08 National Council on Disability’s Response to Arguments Opposing ADA Restoration
8.22.07 Letter from the US Chamber of Commerce to the House of Representatives in opposition to HR 3195
9.27.07 Letter from Congressmen Hoyer and Sensenbrenner in Response to Chamber of Commerce
12.17.07 Letter from US Chamber of Commerce and other opponents on ADA Restoration to Members of Congress
House Committee on Education and Labor ADA Restoration hearing, January 29, 2008 at 10:00 am EST (2.2.08)
Individual testimony at the hearing is posted on the Committee’s website.
Andrew Imparato, American Association of People with Disabilities
Carey McClure, Plantiff in ADA Lawsuit v. General Motors
Robert L. Burgdorf, Professor of Law, University of the District of Columbia
David K. Fram, Esq., National Employment Law Institute
Senate Hearing on the ADA Restoration Act on November 15, 2007
Watch the hearing on line from the HELP Committee website. (Note: the hearing begins 18 min, 10 sec into the Real Player video.) http://help.senate.gov/Hearings/2007_11_15_b/2007_11_15_b.html
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) conducted the first Senate hearing on the ADA Restoration Act on Thursday, November 15, 2007. Testimony was given by:
- John Kemp, Attorney, Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville, P.C., Washington, D.C.
- Dick Thornburgh, Counsel, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, Preston, Gates, Ellis, LLP, Washington, D.C.
- Stephen Orr, Pharmacist, Rapid City, South Dakota
- Camille Olsen, Attorney, Seyfarth & Shaw, Chicago, Illinois
- Chai Feldblum, Director, Federal Legislation Clinic and Professor of Law, Georgetown Law Center, Washington, D.C.
House Hearing on the ADA Restoration Act on October 4, 2007
The Judiciary Committee conducted the first hearing on the ADA Restoration Act on Thursday, October 4, 2007. Testimony was given by:
- Congressman Steny Hoyer, House Majority Leader
- Cheryl Sensenbrenner, ChairmanAmerican Association of People with Disabilities
- Stephen Orr, Pharmacist
- Michael Collins, Executive DirectorNational Council on Disability
- Lawrence Lorber, U. S. Chamber of Commerce
- Chai Feldblum, ProfessorGeorgetown University Law Center
Congressional Support
as of March 13, 2008, there were 244 cosponsors on HR 3195 and 3 cosponsors on S. 1881
To learn more about the ADA see these resources:
- U.S. Department of Justice, Americans with Disabilities Act ADA Home Page
- United States Access Board
- ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG)
- The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Job Accommodation Network
- United States Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration
- Easter Seals Project Action
- Federal Communications Commission Disability Rights Office
- DisabilityInfo.gov
- ADA and IT Technical Assistance Centers
- Selected Americans with Disabilities Act cases