The ADA makes it unlawful to discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability. Every college and university is required under the ADA to make programs, services and facilities “accessible to” and “usable by” persons with disabilities. The purpose of ADA is to allow persons with disabilities the opportunity to find and hold a job, have the right to do business with public retail stores, have access to public transportation and have equal opportunity to pursue educational goals. In short, the ADA insures that persons with disabilities are a part of the American way of life, without discrimination.
The U.S. Department of Justice published revised final regulations under title II (state and local government services) and title III (public accommodations and commercial facilities) of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on September 15, 2010, in the Federal Register. These requirements or rules clarify and refine issues that have arisen over the past 20 years and contain new and updated requirements, including the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design (2010 Standards). This publication provides guidance on the term “service animal” and on the service animal provisions in the Department’s new regulations. Beginning on March 15, 2011, only dogs are recognized as service animals under titles II and III of the ADA. Click to learn more at the ADA Service Animals Requirements online resource.