Americans with Disabilities
Act, a Summary

A description of the enforcement jurisdiction, effec-
tive dates and regulatory agencies for the titles and
parts of the Act.

ADA: Implementation Dates
P.L. 101-336

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, promotion, back pay, front pay, restored benefits, reasonable accommodations, 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

(Part I) Public transportation (buses, light and rapid rail including fixed-route systems, paratransit, demand response systems and transportation facilities).

(Part II) Public transportation by intercity Amtrak and commuter rail (including transportation facilities).

Law's Effective Date
January 26, 1992

(Part I) 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 retrofitted by July 26, 1993; with some extensions allowed up to July 26, 2020.

(Part II) 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 Attorney General.

(Part I) July 26, 1991, all regulations from Secretary of Transportation.

(Part II) July 26, 1991, all regulations from Secretary of Transportation.

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) Same as above.

(Part II) Same as above.

Title III
Public accommodations operated by private entities.
A. Public accommodations (all business and service providers).

B. New construction-alteration to public accommodations and commercial facilities.

C. Public transportation provided by private entities.

Law's Effective Date
A. In general, January 26, 1992, except no lawsuits may be filed before July 26, 1992 against businesses with twenty-five (25) or fewer employees and revenues of $1 million or less; or before January 26, 1993 for businesses with ten (10) or fewer employees and revenues of $500,000 or less.

B. January 26, 1992, for alterations. January 26, 1993 for new construction.

C. In general, January 26, 1992, but by August 26, 1990 all orders for purchases or leases of new vehicles must be for accessible vehicles. Calls for a three (3) year study of over-the-road buses to determine access needs with requirements effective July 26, 1996 to July 26, 1997.

Regulations by Federal Agency
A. July 26, 1991, regulations from Attorney General. Standards must be consistent with the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB) guidelines.

B. Same as above.

C. July 26, 1991, regulations from Secretary of Transportation. Regulations will be based on standards issued by the ATBCB.

Enforcement Jurisdiction
A. For individuals, remedies identical to Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which are private right of action, injunctive relief: For Attorney General enforcement in pattern or practice cases or cases of general importance with civil penalties and compensatory damages.

B. Same as above.

C. Same as above.

Title IV
Telecommunications

Law's Effective Date
July 26, 1993, telecommunications relay services to operate twenty-four (24) hours per day.

Regulations by Federal Agency
July 26, 1991, all regulations by the Federal Communications Commission.

Enforcement Jurisdiction
Private right of action and Federal Communications Commission.

Title V
Miscellaneous

Law's Effective Date
Effective dates of Title V are those determined by most of the analogous sections in Titles I through IV.

Regulations by Federal Agency
In general, this title depicts the ADA's relationship to other laws, explains insurance issues, prohibits state immunity, provides congressional inclusion, sets regulations by ATBCB, explains implementation of each title and notes amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.