{"id":355612,"date":"2016-04-04T10:41:57","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:41:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/civilrights\/discrimination\/ada-access-to-buildings-and-businesses-public-accommodations.html"},"modified":"2025-07-09T15:18:25","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T20:18:25","slug":"ada-access-to-buildings-and-businesses-public-accommodations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/discrimination\/ada-access-to-buildings-and-businesses-public-accommodations.html","title":{"rendered":"ADA Access to Buildings and Businesses (Public Accommodations) – Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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ADA Access to Buildings and Businesses (Public Accommodations) – Overview<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

America is a nation meant for everyone to be able to enjoy. Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act<\/a> (ADA) in 1990. It is a federal law prohibiting discrimination based on disability. It requires businesses and facilities to provide reasonable access and accommodations for disabled customers, clients, and members of the general public.<\/p>\r\n

The ADA applies to almost all businesses that offer places of public accommodation<\/a>, regardless of size. This article will discuss the protections provided by the ADA for public spaces. It also explains how the law impacts access to buildings, public places, and commercial facilities.<\/p>\r\n

The Civil Rights Act of 1964<\/h2>\r\n

Over the last sixty years, the federal government has passed numerous anti-discrimination laws. Most of these laws stem from the Civil Rights Act of 1964<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

The Civil Rights Act is a federal law prohibiting discrimination based on the following:<\/p>\r\n