The Disabilities Act

Protecting the rights of the disabled will have far-reaching effects

Introduction

The Americans with Disabilities Act is the most sweeping piece of civil rights legislation since the 1964 Civil Rights Act. It has the potential to change the face of America, not only by requiring that private businesses be accessible to the disabled but also by changing attitudes and perceptions of disability. The bipartisan bill zipped through Congress in 1990 with the president's full support. Implementation, however, may not be so swift -- or so popular. As the Jan. 26 deadline for compliance with the ADA's public accommodation provisions approaches, companies are scrambling to make changes necessary to comply with the statute's “vague” guidelines. Meanwhile, lawmakers are pondering the costs of this landmark legislation, and the courts are bracing for an onslaught of lawsuits.

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