The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. This legislation made it a violation of federal law to discriminate against people with disabilities, just as similar civil rights laws protect people against discrimination on the basis of race, gender, national origin, and religion. The ADA provides equal opportunities for people with disabilities in the areas of employment, transportation, state and local government, public accommodations and telecommunications. It protects anyone in the United States with mobility, visual, or hearing impairments as well as people with cognitive disabilities. The act is divided into four main categories, called “Titles”

Title One: Employment

Title Two: State & Local Governments/Transportation/Public Service

Title Three: Public Accommodations

Title Four: Telecommunications

Source: www.ADA.gov

Additional Resources

1. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) American with Disabilities Act Guidance. On October 5, 2015 the FTA announced the release of its American with Disabilities Act: Guidance (C 4710.1). The circular provides guidance to recipients and subrecipients of FTA financial assistance necessary to carry out provisions of the ADA.
   http://www.fta.dot.gov/legislation_law/12349_16591.html
2. Allegheny County: Residential Visitability Tax Abatement Program and Brochure
   http://alleghenycounty.us/real-estate/abatements-exemptions/act-132.aspx
   http://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/VisitibilityBrochure.pdf
3. City of Pittsburgh, Department of City Planning ‘The One Step Project’. The information describes ways that businesses as well as the consumers can benefit from making accommodations to create accessible entrances for persons with disabilities.
   http://pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/ada/one-step
4. U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA Information Services
   http://www.ada.gov/agency.htm
5. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
   http://carnegielibrary.org/locations/lbph/
6. PathVu
   http://www.pathvu.com/
7. Workforce.com Article: Illustrating the Importance of Training Your Employees on the ADA
   http://www.workforce.com/blogs/3-the-practical-employer/post/21666-illustrating-the-importance-of-training-your-employees-on-the-ada
8. Accessibility of Public Transportation: Survey of Riders with Disabilities
   https://unco.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_00wcGeTOzGL2lQ9
9. AHEDD's Annual Report- 2014-2015
   http://media.wix.com/ugd/a6fb5f_5c8dc6adac33458cb09c6ab25cd6559b.pdf
10. Learn more about the steps that can be taken to easily create an accessibility-friendly public space.
    http://www.newmobility.com/2015/03/accessible-public-spaces/
11. Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council
    http://www.paddc.org
    
12. Disability Integration Act
    http://www.disabilityintegrationact.org
13. Robotic Prosthetics for Disabled Athletes
    http://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2016/02/02/athletes-research-intel-dr-cooper-pkg.cnn
14. Can You Tell the Difference Between Accommodation and Accessibility?
    https://medium.com/disability-stories/can-you-tell-the-difference-between-accommodation-and-accessibility-7a7afd9dacd7#.ma0n8hjsb
15. Statewide Campaign Draws Attention to Stigma Against People With Disabilities
    http://www.apnewsroom.com/news-from-pr-newswire/?rkey=20160405PH62575&filter=289
16. Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities
    https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/pdf/ACICIEID_Final_Report_9-8-16.pdf