Know Your Rights Under the ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in workplaces, housing, transportation, education, and public services.
What Is the ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination.
- Employment
- Public services
- Transportation
- Businesses and public spaces
- Telecommunications
The law applies to employers, government agencies, and businesses open to the public.
Your ADA Rights
Employment Rights
You are protected from discrimination in hiring, firing, pay, and promotions. You have the right to reasonable accommodations, accessible workplaces, and equal opportunities.
Public Access Rights
Businesses and public places must be accessible. This can include wheelchair access, service animal access, and accessible restrooms.
Housing Rights
You are protected from disability discrimination in housing. This can include reasonable modifications, equal rental access, and fair, accessible housing policies.
Education Rights
Students with disabilities must receive equal access to education programs, services, and reasonable accommodations.
What Is a Reasonable Accommodation?
A reasonable accommodation is a change to a job, policy, or environment that helps a disabled person do their job or use a service, without causing major difficulty or expense for the provider.
Flexible schedules
Assistive technology
Modified workspace
Communication support
Remote work options
Recognizing Disability Discrimination
Denied a job, promotion, or training opportunity because of disability.
Refused reasonable accommodations at work, school, or in housing.
Refusal to allow service animals in places open to the public.
Inaccessible entrances, restrooms, or key areas of a building.
Harassment, bullying, or negative comments related to disability.
If any of these sound familiar, you may have experienced disability discrimination.
How AccessRight Can Help
AccessRight provides ADA advocacy, support with reporting discrimination, help with workplace accommodations, education resources, and referrals to legal help.
ADA Advocacy
Discrimination Reporting
Workplace Guidance
Education Resources
Legal Referrals
Experienced Disability Discrimination?
You can share what happened and get support starting today.
File a Report
Report Disability Discrimination
Disclaimer:
Filing a report that is in retaliation, used for fraudulent activity is Prohibited, AccessRight will report any fraudulent reports to appropriate authority. Your name, contact information, and report will stay anonymous. AccessRight investigators may contact you to help us follow up more effectively and find the best solution to your report.
ADA Resources
ADA Guides
Workplace Accommodation Toolkit
Comprehensive step-by-step guides for navigating everyday ADA compliance.
Tools and templates for requesting and documenting reasonable accommodations.
Disability Rights
Government ADA Resources
Common legal and advocacy questions answered in plain language.
Official federal portals and legal definitions from the Department of Justice.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
Practical guidance on accommodations and ADA rights directly at work.
Find and contact your state’s local Protection and Advocacy agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What disabilities are protected under the ADA?
The ADA protects people with physical, mental, and other impairments that substantially limit major life activities. This includes history of disability or being regarded as disabled by others.
Do employers have to provide accommodations?
Covered employers usually must provide reasonable accommodations unless it would cause significant difficulty or excessive financial cost to the business.
What should I do if my ADA rights are violated?
Keep detailed records, write down names and dates, talk with your HR department if you feel safe doing so, and reach out to AccessRight or legal aid resources.
How can AccessRight help me?
AccessRight offers information, advocacy, and referrals to help you navigate ADA rights. Please Note: our support is not a replacement for formal legal advice.