Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is the short title of United States Public Law 101-336, 104 Stat. 327, enacted 1990-07-26, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq. and signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush. The ADA is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability. It affords similar protections against discrimination to Americans with disabilities as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which made discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, and other characteristics illegal. Disability is defined as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity."

On signing the measure, George H. W. Bush said:

"I know there may have been concerns that the ADA may be too vague or too costly, or may lead endlessly to litigation. But I want to reassure you right now that my administration and the United States Congress have carefully crafted this Act. We've all been determined to ensure that it gives flexibility, particularly in terms of the timetable of implementation; and we've been committed to containing the costs that may be incurred.... Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down."

• NEW! Curb Ramp Design Guidelines

• NEW! Ask a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) - San Diego's new resource for your built environment

• ADA Website(link is external) - Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act
• ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG)(link is external)
• ADA Toolkit for State and Local Governments(link is external)
• ADA Rules about Service Animals(link is external)
• ADA Update: A Primer For Small Business(link is external)

City Administrative Regulations

• City Policy for People with Disabilities: Public Services
• City Policy for People with Disabilities: Employment

Council Policies

• Policy No. 000-03 - People with Disabilities (PDF) - Accessible Programs, Services, Activities and Facilities and Employment
• Policy No. 300-10 - Equal Opportunity (PDF) - Employment and EEOP
• Policy No. 100-04 - ADA Compliance/City Contractors (PDF) - Contracts and Contracting Compliance with the ADA and EOP
• Policy No. 200-07 - Pedestrian Crossing Signals (PDF) - Guideline for Pedestrian Crossings and Safety
• Policy No. 200-16 - Audible Pedestrian Signals (PDF) - Modernization of Traffic Control Devices including Accessible Pedestrian Signals
• Policy No. 500-08 - Disabled Parking on City Streets (PDF) - Blue Curb on Street Parking

Access Memos

• Access Memo 2004-04, Cross Slope and Running Slope for Walks and Sidewalks, and Pedestrian Ramps (PDF)
• Access Memo 2004-03, Implementation of Truncated Domes on Curb Ramps (PDF)
• Access Memo 2004-02, Forward and Side Reach Range Limits for City Owned and Leased Facilities (PDF)
• Access Memo 2004-01, Accessibility Design Standards for City Owned and Leased Facilities (PDF)
• Clarification Memo to Access Memo 2004-01 (Accessible Restroom Stall Door Hardware for City Projects) (PDF)
• Access Memo 2003-01, Maximizing Pedestrian Safety (PDF)