ADA

ADA (short for Americans with Disabilities Act) is a U.S. law that protects the rights of people with disabilities — making sure they can access and participate in public life just like everyone else.

Passed in 1990, the ADA was a civil rights milestone. It’s basically the disability rights version of the Civil Rights Act. The law says: no discrimination in jobs, transportation, schools, public spaces, or digital services. That means buildings need ramps, workplaces must accommodate employees with disabilities, and — increasingly — websites and apps must be accessible, too.

So, if a company has a website where a blind user can’t navigate with a screen reader, that could be an ADA violation. Or if a store doesn’t have an accessible entrance, same deal. The law applies to physical and digital spaces alike — and lawsuits over inaccessible websites have become more common in recent years.

In short: ADA is about equality, dignity, and the right to fully participate in society — online and offline.

For official details, visit ADA.gov.