
                             Index Number: 11112


This is the first of two fact sheets on ADA that are distributed
by the Department of Justice (filename was adafact.ask).

          Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements
                           Fact Sheet

                           Employment 

Employers may not discriminate against an individual with a
disability in hiring or promotion if the person is otherwise
qualified for the job.

Employers can ask about one's ability to perform a job, but
cannot inquire if someone has a disability or subject a person to
tests that tend to screen out people with disabilities. 

Employers will need to provide "reasonable accommodation" to
individuals with disabilities.  This includes steps such as job
restructuring and modification of equipment.


Employers do not need to provide accommodations that impose an
"undue hardship" on business operations.  Who needs to comply:

   All employers with 25 or more employees must comply, effective
   July 26, 1992.
   All employers with 15-24 employees must comply, effective 
   July 26, 1994.

                         Transportation 

New public transit buses ordered after August 26, 1990, must be
accessible to individuals with disabilities. 

Transit authorities must provide comparable paratransit or other
special transportation services to individuals with disabilities
who cannot use fixed route bus services, unless an undue burden
would result. 

Existing rail systems must have one accessible car per train by
July 26, 1995.

New rail cars ordered after August 26, 1990, must be accessible.


New bus and train stations must be accessible.

Key stations in rapid light, and commuter rail systems must be
made accessible by July 26, 1993, with extensions up to 20 years
for commuter rail (30 years of rapid and light rail).

All existing Amtrak stations must be accessible by July 26, 2010.

                      Public Accommodations

Private entities such as restaurants, hotels, and retail stores
may not discriminate against individuals with disabilities,
effective January 26, 1992.

Auxiliary aids and services must be provided to individuals with
vision or hearing impairments or other individuals with
disabilities, unless an undue burden would result. 

Physical barriers in existing facilities must be removed, if
removal is readily achievable.  If not alternative methods of
providing the services must be offered, if they are readily
achievable.  






All new construction and alterations of facilities must be
accessible. 

                   State and Local Government

State and local governments may not discriminate against
qualified individuals with disabilities. 

All government facilities, services, and communications must be
accessible consistent with the requirements of section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

                       Telecommunications

Companies offering telephone service to the general public must
offer telephone relay services to individuals who use
telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDD's) or similar
devices. 





          This document is available in the following accessible
formats:

          -  Braille
          -  Large Print
          -  Audiotape
          -  Electronic file on computer disk
             and electronic bulletin board (202) 514-6193

     For more information about the ADA contact:

                    U.S. Department of Justice
                    Civil Rights Division 
                    Coordination and Review Section
                    P.O. Box 66118
                    Washington, D.C.   20035-6118
                    (202) 514-0301 (Voice)
                    (202) 514-0381 (TDD)
                    (202) 514-0383 (TDD)               




                 Americans with Disabilities Act
              Requirements in Public Accommodations
                           Fact Sheet

General

     Public accommodations such as restaurants, hotels, theaters,
doctor's offices, pharmacies, retail stores, museums, libraries,
parks, private schools, and day care centers, may not
discriminate on the basis of disability.  Private clubs and
religious organizations are exempt. 

     Reasonable changes in policies, practices, and procedures
must be made to avoid discrimination. 

Auxiliary Aids

     Auxiliary aids and services must be provided to individuals
with vision or hearing impairments or other individuals with
disabilities, unless an undue burden would result. 



Physical Barriers

     Physical barriers in existing facilities must be removed, if
removal is readily achievable.  If not, alternative methods of
providing the services must be offered, if they are readily
achievable.

     All new construction in public accommodations, as well as in
"commercial facilities" such as office buildings, must be
accessible.  Elevators are generally not required in buildings
under three stories or fewer than 3,000 square feet per floor,
unless the building is a shopping center, mall, or a professional
office of a health care provider. 

     Alterations must be accessible.  When alterations to primary
function areas are made, an accessible path of travel to the
altered area (and the bathrooms, telephones, and drinking
fountains serving that area) must be provided to the extent that
the added accessibility costs are not disproportionate to the
overall cost of the alterations.  Elevators are required as
described above.


     Entities such as hotels that also offer transportation must
generally provide equivalent transportation service to
individuals with disabilities.  New fixed-route vehicles capable
of carrying more than 16 passengers must be accessible. 

Remedies

     Individuals may bring private lawsuits to obtain court
orders to stop discrimination, but money damages cannot be
awarded.
     Individuals can also file complaints with the Attorney
General who may file lawsuits to stop discrimination and obtain
money damages and penalties. 

          This document is available in the following accessible
formats:

          -  Braille
          -  Large Print
          -  Audiotape
          -  Electronic file on computer disk
             and electronic bulletin board (202) 514-6193




          For more information about the ADA contact:

                    U.S. Department of Justice
                    Civil Rights Division 
                    Coordination and Review Section
                    P.O. Box 66118
                    Washington, D.C.   20035-6118
                    (202) 514-0301 (Voice)
                    (202) 514-0381 (TDD)
                    (202) 514-0383 (TDD)               

                Americans with Disabilities Act 
                       Statutory Deadlines

I.   Employment

     The ADA requirements become effective on:

     -  July 26, 1992, for employers with 25 or more employees.
     -  July 26, 1994, for employers, with 15-24 employees.




II.  Public Accommodations

     The ADA requirements become effective on:

     -  January 26, 1992, generally
     -  August 26, 1990, for purchase or lease of new vehicles   
        that are required to be accessible.
     -  January 26, 1993, for new construction.

     Generally, lawsuits may not be filed until January 26, 1992,
     In addition, except with respect to alterations, no lawsuit
     may be filed until:

     -  July 26, 1992, against businesses with 25 or few      
        employees and gross receipts of $1 million or less.
     
     -  January 26, 1993, against businesses with 10 or fewer
        employees and gross receipts of $500,000 or less.





III. Transportation 

     A.  Public bus systems

         The ADA requirements become effective on:

         -  January 26, 1992, generally.
         -  August 26, 1990, for purchase or lease of new buses.

     B.  Public rail systems -- light, rapid, commuter, and   
         intercity (Amtrak) rail  

         -  January 26, 1992, generally.
         -  August 26, 1990, for purchase or lease of new rail
            vehicles.
         -  By July 26, 1995, one car per train accessibility
            must be achieved.  
         -  By July 26, 1993, existing key stations in rapid,
            light, commuter rail systems must be made accessible
            with extensions of up to 20 years (30 years, in some
            cases, for rapid and light rail).



     C.  Privately operated bus and van companies

         The ADA requirements become effective on:

         -  January 26, 1992, generally.
         -  July 26, 1996 (July 26, 1997, for small providers)
            for purchase of new over-the-road buses.
         -  August 26, 1990, for purchase or lease of certain new
            vehicles (other than over-the-road buses).  

IV.  State and local government operations

     The ADA requirements become effective on:

     -   January 26, 1992.

V.   Telecommunications

     The ADA requirements become effective on:

     -  July 26, 1993, for provision of relay services.




         This document is available in the following accessible
formats:

         -  Braille
         -  Large Print
         -  Audiotape
         -  Electronic file on computer disk
            and electronic bulletin board (202) 514-6193

     For more information about the ADA contact:

               U.S. Department of Justice
               Civil Rights Division 
               Coordination and Review Section
               P.O. Box 66118
               Washington, D.C.   20035-6118
               (202) 514-0301 (Voice)
               (202) 514-0381 (TDD)
               (202) 514-0383 (TDD)

Press ENTER for Fact Sheet #2...                                     <ADA2>
