print this pageAmericans with Disabilities Act Summary
A description of the enforcement jurisdiction, effective dates and regulatory agencies for the titles and parts of the Act.
Title I: Employment
Law's Effective Date July 26, 1992 for employers with twenty-five (25) or more employees; July 26, 1994 for employers with fifteen (15) or more employees.
Regulations by Federal Agency July 26, 1991 all regulations from Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Enforcement Jurisdiction Remedies for violations of Title I of the ADA include hiring, reinstatement, promotional, back pay, front pay, restored benefits, reasonable accommodation, attorneys' fees, expert witness fees, and court costs. Compensatory and punitive damages also may be available in cases of intentional discrimination or where an employer fails to make a good faith effort to provide a reasonable accommodation.
Title II: Public Services - All activities of local and state governments
Law's Effective Date January 26, 1992
Regulations by Federal Agency July 26, 1991, all regulations from Attorney General.
Enforcement Jurisdiction Remedies identical to those under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section 505 which include private right of action, injunctive relief, and some damages.
(Part I)
Public transportation (buses, light and rapid rail including fixed-route systems,
paratransit, demand response systems and transportation facilities).
Law's Effective Date August 26, 1990, all orders for purchases or leases of new vehicles must be for accessible vehicles; one-car-per-train must be accessible as soon as practicable, but no later than July 26, 1995; paratransit services must be provided after January 26, 1992; new stations built after January 26, 1992 must be accessible. Key stations must be retrofited by July 26, 1993; with some extensions allowed up to July 26, 2020.
Regulations by Federal Agency July 26, 1991, all regulations from Secretary of Transportation.
Enforcement Jurisdiction Same as above.
(Part II)
Public transportation by intercity Amtrak and commuter rail (including transportation
facilities).
Law's Effective Date By July 26, 2000, Amtrak passenger coaches must have same number of accessible seats as would have been available if every car were built accessible; half of such seats must be available by July 26, 1995. Same one-car-per-train rule and new stations rule as above. All existing Amtrak stations must be retrofitted by July 26, 2010; key commuter stations must be retrofitted by July 26,1993 with some extensions allowed up to 20 years.
Regulations by Federal Agency July 26, 1991, all regulations from Secretary of Transportation.
Enforcement Jurisdiction Same as above.