Accessibility is not a luxury — it’s a necessity and, in many instances, required by law. Laws around disability in the United States go back to the Rehabilitation Act of 1978, which prevented federal agencies from discriminating on the basis of disability. That same year, the organization ADAPT held the first protest for wheelchair-accessible buses in Denver, CO. After years of activism from people across the nation, the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA not only prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability across sectors but also mandates many accessibility features, including in transportation, and the ADA guides much of the regulation around disability in the U.S. today. For help understanding ADA regulations related to transportation or regulations beyond the ADA in the U.S. and abroad, browse the resources below.
- What Is the ADA?— Summary of the ADA (ADA National Network)
- Reinvigorating Implementation and Enforcement of the Rehab Act— Blog celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Rehab Act (ACL, 2023)
- Guide to Disability Rights Laws— Outline of several important disability rights laws, including the ADA, Fair Housing Act, Air Carrier Access Act, Help America Vote Act, and more (ADA.gov)
- Plain Writing Act of 2010— Requirements and guidelines for using plain language (PlainWriting.gov)
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2) — Guidelines for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities (W3C, 2024)
- Section 504 of the Rehab Act— Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on disability (HHS, 2006)
- Section 508 of the Rehab Act— Information about federal IT accessibility and meeting your responsibilities under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section508.gov)
- Final Rule on Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers with Disabilities Using Wheelchairs— Department of Transportation rule to strengthen regulation of Air Carrier Access Act and address serious problems encountered by travelers (Federal Register, 2024)
International Law
- How a Law To Protect Disabled Americans Became Imitated Around the World— Article on the international legacy of the Americans with Disabilities Act (NPR, 2015)
- Disability Laws and Acts by Country/Area— Database of disability laws from around the world (United Nations)