{"id":355621,"date":"2016-04-04T10:41:57","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:41:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/civilrights\/discrimination\/disability-access-how-to-file-an-ada-title-iii-complaint.html"},"modified":"2025-09-11T11:09:30","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T16:09:30","slug":"disability-access-how-to-file-an-ada-title-iii-complaint","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/discrimination\/disability-access-how-to-file-an-ada-title-iii-complaint.html","title":{"rendered":"Disability Access: How to File an ADA Title III Complaint"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How To File an ADA Title III Complaint<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/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\n\n

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An ADA Title III<\/span> complaint is a formal report filed with the U.S. Department of Justice<\/span> alleging disability discrimination<\/span> by a public accommodation<\/span> like a restaurant, store, or gym. This complaint process allows individuals to report violations of accessibility requirements and discriminatory practices covered under Title III<\/span> of the Americans with Disabilities Act<\/span>. The DOJ<\/span> investigates these complaints and may pursue corrective action, though this is separate from filing a private lawsuit for damages.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

It can be frustrating when public-facing employees at places like gyms or stores don’t understand how to accommodate a customer with a disability. Intentionally committed or not, it\u2019s a form of disability discrimination<\/span>. It\u2019s difficult to know the proper legal response. Should an Americans with Disabilities Act<\/span> (ADA) <\/a>complaint be filed, or a lawsuit?<\/p>\n

In this article, we answer this question and others. We also dive deeper into public accommodations<\/span> under the ADA, including related complaint resolution methods and potential outcomes.<\/p>\n

If you suspect you’ve been a target of disability discrimination<\/span>, it’s usually a good idea to speak with a discrimination attorney in your state<\/a>. They can help you understand the remedies available to you under state and federal law. That way, you can figure out the best way to proceed.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, let’s start with some background information about the ADA.<\/p>\n

The Americans with Disabilities Act<\/span><\/h2>\n

The ADA is a landmark federal civil rights<\/span> law passed in 1990. Its goal is to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. As such, it prohibits disability discrimination<\/span><\/a> in various aspects of public life.<\/p>\n

The law is divided into sections called “titles.” For example, Title I deals with disability discrimination<\/span> in employment<\/a>. Title II<\/span> addresses disability discrimination<\/span> by public entities, like state and local government<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Title III<\/span> of the ADA<\/h2>\n

Title III<\/span> prohibits disability discrimination<\/span> by places known as “public accommodations<\/span>.” Public accommodations<\/span> are open to the public but owned and operated by private entities. For example, restaurants and hotels are public accommodations<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Other public accommodations<\/span>\u00a0include:<\/p>\n