What The ADA Does and Does Not Cover

From the Community

June 30, 2025

Helen Russon

Three oversized puzzle pieces lie next to a gavel. One piece features the international symbol of access. — Image: iStock

how the ADA can impact employment, but the reach of the ADA goes far beyond the workplace.Here, I want to briefly describe what the ADA does (and does not) cover, so you know your rights as you navigate a world filled with barriers." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

Those of us with multiple sclerosis know all about barriers: sidewalks with no curb cuts, buildings with no ramps and the nagging feeling that perhaps we didn’t get that promotion because of our disability.The good news is that there are laws we can turn to if we believe we’ve been unfairly impacted by these barriers.Perhaps the most well-known of these laws is the Americans With Disabilities Act, better known as the ADA, which passed in 1990. I have written before about how the ADA can impact employment, but the reach of the ADA goes far beyond the workplace.Here, I want to briefly describe what the ADA does (and does not) cover, so you know your rights as you navigate a world filled with barriers.

Conditions That Are Considered Disabilities Under the ADA

The ADA defines a person with a disability as someone who:

Has a physical or mental impairment that “substantially limits” one or more major life activities or
Has a history or record of such an impairment (such as cancer that is in remission) or
Is not disabled, but is perceived as being so (such as a person with scars from a severe burn)

To simplify the language above: Not every impairment or illness meets the definition of “disability.” The term generally only applies to conditions that stop someone from doing things that most people can do with little or no difficulty. For example, most people can walk a city block without difficulty. If a person with MS cannot do this, they are likely covered by the ADA.Temporary ailments, such as broken bones or minor illnesses, are not covered by the ADA.

The ADA defines a person with a disability as someone who:

Has a physical or mental impairment that “substantially limits” one or more major life activities or
Has a history or record of such an impairment (such as cancer that is in remission) or
Is not disabled, but is perceived as being so (such as a person with scars from a severe burn)

The Essence of the ADA: Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship

The ADA was modeled after earlier civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, age and religion.The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability, but it also goes further: The ADA also requires employers, companies, government agencies and other entities to make changes so people with disabilities can participate in their services or activities.These changes are called “reasonable accommodations.” Examples include:

Making an exception to a “no pets” policy to allow someone with a service animal to enter a store
Providing a ramp so that a person using a wheelchair can get into a restaurant
Purchasing software so that a person with vision or mobility issues can access the Internet
Offering written material in braille or communicating it through a sign-language interpreter

However, these changes are not required if they would create an “undue hardship” (which means they are unreasonably difficult or expensive) or would “fundamentally alter” the nature of the business. For example, a bar does not have to switch from its standard dim lighting to bright lights in order to accommodate a patron or employee with a visual disability.

Making an exception to a “no pets” policy to allow someone with a service animal to enter a store
Providing a ramp so that a person using a wheelchair can get into a restaurant
Purchasing software so that a person with vision or mobility issues can access the Internet
Offering written material in braille or communicating it through a sign-language interpreter

Anatomy of the ADA

contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

State and Local Government Programs and Services

State and local governments play a big role in our lives. When we go to the local library, ride the bus, vote, apply for a driver’s license, call the police or go to school, we are likely using some aspect of government.The ADA requires state and local governments to provide people with disabilities an equal opportunity to be included in their programs, services and activities. For example:

Polling places must provide accessible parking places, accessible paths of travel and people who can help disabled voters in marking their ballots.
In addition to issuing disabled parking placards, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) must assist people with disabilities in filling out forms and otherwise trying to get driver’s licenses.

State and local governments must also follow strict standards when constructing or remodeling buildings and other structures. These standards include things like:

Curb cuts at designated locations
Ramps and elevators in certain kinds of buildings
Doors that open automatically

Private Entities That Serve the Public

The ADA applies to private businesses that serve the public, such as retail stores, business offices, hotels, movie theaters, day care centers and recreation facilities.These businesses must accommodate people with disabilities who seek to use their services. Examples include:

Helping a visually impaired customer find various products in a store
Allowing service animals into areas that prohibit pets
Holding events on the ground floor in buildings without an elevator

As with the government entities, private businesses that serve the public must follow specific, “disability friendly” requirements when constructing or altering new buildings or structures.If you feel your ADA rights have been violated by a government or private entity, contact the U.S. Department of Justice.

Public and Private Transportation

Both public and private transit services must meet ADA requirements. These include:

Providing information in accessible formats (such as large print, braille, accessible Internet features)
Ensuring that equipment and facilities (such as signs, lifts, ramps, straps for wheelchairs) are undamaged and in good operating order
Designating seating areas for passengers with disabilities
Providing training to bus operators about properly and respectfully helping individuals with disabilities
Allowing service animals to ride with people with disabilities
Providing paratransit services (picking up and dropping off qualified disabled customers on specific days to and from specific places) when they are unable to use fixed route transportation

If you feel your public or private transportation rights have been violated, contact the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Telecommunications Relay Service

The ADA, along with the Telecommunications Act of 1996, requires that telecommunication services be accessible to individuals with speech and/or hearing disabilities, when this is readily achievable. These laws have caused many improvements, making it easier for people with these impairments to communicate by telephone.If you feel that these rights have been violated, contact the Federal Communications Commission." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

Employment

Contrary to what many think, the ADA does not force employers to hire or retain unqualified people. It does require employers to provide accommodations that allow disabled employees to perform essential job functions.Accommodations can include:

Changing an employee’s work schedule
Transferring nonessential duties to other employees
Providing medical leave
Purchasing special equipment (such as documents in braille, screen readers for computers, special desks for wheelchairs, etc.)

The language of the ADA makes it clear that employers are expected to work with employees to achieve a solution that benefits everyone.If you feel your employment rights under the ADA have been violated, contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

State and Local Government Programs and Services

Polling places must provide accessible parking places, accessible paths of travel and people who can help disabled voters in marking their ballots.
In addition to issuing disabled parking placards, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) must assist people with disabilities in filling out forms and otherwise trying to get driver’s licenses.

State and local governments must also follow strict standards when constructing or remodeling buildings and other structures. These standards include things like:

Curb cuts at designated locations
Ramps and elevators in certain kinds of buildings
Doors that open automatically

Private Entities That Serve the Public

Helping a visually impaired customer find various products in a store
Allowing service animals into areas that prohibit pets
Holding events on the ground floor in buildings without an elevator

Public and Private Transportation

Both public and private transit services must meet ADA requirements. These include:

Providing information in accessible formats (such as large print, braille, accessible Internet features)
Ensuring that equipment and facilities (such as signs, lifts, ramps, straps for wheelchairs) are undamaged and in good operating order
Designating seating areas for passengers with disabilities
Providing training to bus operators about properly and respectfully helping individuals with disabilities
Allowing service animals to ride with people with disabilities
Providing paratransit services (picking up and dropping off qualified disabled customers on specific days to and from specific places) when they are unable to use fixed route transportation

If you feel your public or private transportation rights have been violated, contact the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Telecommunications Relay Service

contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

State and Local Government Programs and Services

Polling places must provide accessible parking places, accessible paths of travel and people who can help disabled voters in marking their ballots.
In addition to issuing disabled parking placards, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) must assist people with disabilities in filling out forms and otherwise trying to get driver’s licenses.

State and local governments must also follow strict standards when constructing or remodeling buildings and other structures. These standards include things like:

Curb cuts at designated locations
Ramps and elevators in certain kinds of buildings
Doors that open automatically

Private Entities That Serve the Public

Helping a visually impaired customer find various products in a store
Allowing service animals into areas that prohibit pets
Holding events on the ground floor in buildings without an elevator

Public and Private Transportation

Both public and private transit services must meet ADA requirements. These include:

Providing information in accessible formats (such as large print, braille, accessible Internet features)
Ensuring that equipment and facilities (such as signs, lifts, ramps, straps for wheelchairs) are undamaged and in good operating order
Designating seating areas for passengers with disabilities
Providing training to bus operators about properly and respectfully helping individuals with disabilities
Allowing service animals to ride with people with disabilities
Providing paratransit services (picking up and dropping off qualified disabled customers on specific days to and from specific places) when they are unable to use fixed route transportation

If you feel your public or private transportation rights have been violated, contact the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Telecommunications Relay Service

Employment

Changing an employee’s work schedule
Transferring nonessential duties to other employees
Providing medical leave
Purchasing special equipment (such as documents in braille, screen readers for computers, special desks for wheelchairs, etc.)

State and Local Government Programs and Services

Polling places must provide accessible parking places, accessible paths of travel and people who can help disabled voters in marking their ballots.
In addition to issuing disabled parking placards, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) must assist people with disabilities in filling out forms and otherwise trying to get driver’s licenses.

State and local governments must also follow strict standards when constructing or remodeling buildings and other structures. These standards include things like:

Curb cuts at designated locations
Ramps and elevators in certain kinds of buildings
Doors that open automatically

Private Entities That Serve the Public

Helping a visually impaired customer find various products in a store
Allowing service animals into areas that prohibit pets
Holding events on the ground floor in buildings without an elevator

Public and Private Transportation

Both public and private transit services must meet ADA requirements. These include:

Providing information in accessible formats (such as large print, braille, accessible Internet features)
Ensuring that equipment and facilities (such as signs, lifts, ramps, straps for wheelchairs) are undamaged and in good operating order
Designating seating areas for passengers with disabilities
Providing training to bus operators about properly and respectfully helping individuals with disabilities
Allowing service animals to ride with people with disabilities
Providing paratransit services (picking up and dropping off qualified disabled customers on specific days to and from specific places) when they are unable to use fixed route transportation

If you feel your public or private transportation rights have been violated, contact the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Telecommunications Relay Service

Other Legislation

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

The ADA is not the only law that provides protections for people with disabilities.

The Fair Housing Amendments Act

In 1988, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) was amended to become the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA). The law now includes disability and familial status as protected categories.The FHAA prohibits disability discrimination in advertising, zoning, financing, selling or renting housing. Landlords must also allow tenants with disabilities to make reasonable modifications (at their own expense) to their dwelling spaces. The landlord can require that tenants reverse those modifications when they leave the premises, unless those changes would not impact a future tenant’s ability to use and enjoy the dwelling.For example, a tenant who replaced a regular shower with an accessible one would have to restore the regular shower when she vacates the apartment. However, a tenant who widened a door to accommodate his wheelchair would not have to narrow it when he leaves, because door width would not keep the next tenant from enjoying the dwelling.As with the ADA, the FHAA requires that new multifamily housing with 4 or more units must follow specific standards that make the buildings more accessible.If you believe your housing rights have been violated, contact the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

The ADA is not the only law that provides protections for people with disabilities.

The Fair Housing Amendments Act

my deep dive into this law’s protections.If you feel that your rights as an airline traveler have been violated, contact the Department of Transportation. I hope this article has been useful in helping you live your best life! For more information, visit ADA.gov" c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

The Air Carrier Access Act

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) forbids disability discrimination in air transportation by domestic and foreign air carriers. Airlines are also required to provide help with boarding, deplaning and making connections. They must assist passengers within the cabin, too. To learn more about the ACAA, read my deep dive into this law’s protections.If you feel that your rights as an airline traveler have been violated, contact the Department of Transportation. I hope this article has been useful in helping you live your best life! For more information, visit ADA.gov

The Air Carrier Access Act

Helen Russon is an (inactive) attorney who teaches disability law and has investigated many civil rights cases with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. She has also written many articles on disability issues and done other volunteer work with her local chapter. As a person living with MS, Helen wants to share both her expertise and experience. She is careful to emphasize, however, that nothing she writes is intended to be legal advice. It is general information to help point readers in the right direction.

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