Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Title III: Places of public Accommodation

Privately owned businesses have obligations under Title III of the ADA. All places of public accommodation, including both for-profit and nonprofit establishments, that affect commerce must follow Title III guidelines. These businesses include sales and service establishments, restaurants, theaters, hotels, libraries, and doctors’ offices. Title III also applies to all commercial facilities including office buildings, factories, and warehouses.

Public accommodations must provide goods and services to individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting possible. The law also requires businesses to eliminate eligibility requirements that exclude or segregate individuals with disabilities unless the requirements are necessary for the operation of the accommodation. These entities must make reasonable modifications to their policies, practices, and procedures that deny access unless the modification would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods or services provided. When necessary, public accommodations are required to provide auxiliary aids, such as Braille material, to ensure effective communication unless it would cause an undue burden for the public accommodation. Public accommodations must also remove all architectural and structural communication barriers in existing facilities where readily achievable. Transportation provided by private entities must also be accessible.

When constructing new building facilities or altering existing facilities, public accommodations must follow the ADA Standards for Accessible Design (also known as the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). These standards include general design requirements for building and site elements such as parking, accessible routes, ramps, and elevators.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) enforces Title III of the ADA.

For more information contact the National ADA Network at 800-949-4232.