The Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations and telecommunications. 

The ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008 was passed "to carry out the ADA's objectives of providing 'a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination' by reinstating a broad scope of protection to be available under the ADA."

Frequently asked questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act

What is the Great Lakes ADA Center?

The Great Lakes ADA Center is one of ten regional centers funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), a division of the Department of Education. It provides information, problem solving assistance and referrals for implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other related laws and can be reached at 1-800-949-4232 between 8am and 5pm (CST). 

What is the Michigan ADA Steering Committee? 

The Michigan ADA Steering Committee operates as the state steering committee for the Great Lakes ADA Center. The committee was formed in 1991 and is comprised of volunteers from businesses, disability groups and government agencies working together to increase the awareness and implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act throughout the State of Michigan through:

• Technical Assistance and Referrals
• Trainings and Workshops
• Grant opportunities to organizations that meet the objectives of the Steering Committee
• Lending Library of DVDs and video tapes

The ADA requires businesses and governments to make their goods, services, and/or facilities accessible to clients, customers and employees with disabilities. The Steering Committee seeks to make this a reality in Michigan. 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Michigan ADA Steering Committee is to increase the awareness and implementation of the ADA throughout the state by forging a partnership between the disability and business communities in the State of Michigan. 

There were more than 2,010 proclamations of recommitment to the mission of the ADA in 2010!

 See the results of the

ADA in Your Community poll

Fact Sheets for the Revised Title II and Title III ADA Regulations

 See the ADA Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Removal 

ADA TRAINING AND INFORMATION:

Hotel ADA Training

Chicago, IL

May 22 at 9AM - 4PM CST

National ADA Symposium

Indianapolis, Indiana

May 30 - June 1, 2012

Accessibility Online Webinar Series:

"Accessible Miniature Golf Courses"

June 7 at 2:30-4:00 PM EST

JAN Webcast Series:

 "Self-Employment Strategies for Persons with Disabilities"

June 12 at 2-3:00 PM

Accessible Technology Webinar Series:

"21st Century Communications

and Video Accessibility Act"

June 12 at 2-3:30 PM

 ADA Audio Conference Series:

"No Parking Here: Accessible Parking Requirements and Enforcement"

  June 19 at 2-3:30 PM

ADA Legal Issues Webinar:

"Pregnancy Discrimination, Disability and the Americans with Disabilities Act"

  July 18 at 2-3:30 PM EST

The Disability Law Lowdown podcast offers the latest in

disability rights information every other week.

WebEd Webinar Series:

 The series on accessibility in post-secondary institutions has concluded.  The sessions were recorded and and can be viewed on the series archives page. 

Webinar Series for the Lodging Industry:

 The lodging series has concluded.  The sessions were recorded and and can be viewed on the series archives page. 

The compliance date for new construction, alterations, program accessibility and and barrier removal is March 15, 2012. Download the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design from the U.S. Department of Justice.