US Legislation
Air Carrier Access Act
The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination in air transportation by domestic and foreign air carriers against qualified individuals with physical or mental impairments. It applies only to air carriers that provide regularly scheduled services for hire to the public. Requirements address a wide range of issues including boarding assistance and certain accessibility features in newly built aircraft and new or altered airport facilities
49 U.S.C. § 41705 - Text of statute forbidding discrimination on the basis of disability.
14 C.F.R. Part 382 - Department of Transportation Regulations implementing the disability non-discrimination provisions of the ACAA.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination in service and employment opportunities against qualified individuals with physical or mental impairments. It consists of five parts:
Title I prohibits employers, including cities and towns, from discriminating against qualified job applicants and workers who are or who become disabled. The law covers all aspects of employment including the application process and hiring, training, compensation, advancement, and any other employment term, condition, or privilege.
Title II prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against disabled persons in their programs and activities. Title II also sets forth the applicable structural accessibility requirements for public entities.
Title III prohibits private enterprises who provide public accommodations and services (e.g., hotels, restaurants, and transit systems) from denying goods, services and programs to people based on their disabilities. Title III also sets forth the applicable structural accessibility requirements for private entities.
Title IV makes available telecommunications devices and services for the hearing and speech impaired. These regulations spell out certain mandatory minimum standards telephone companies must maintain to be in compliance with the ADA.
Title V includes some miscellaneous provisions that relate to the construction and application of the ADA, including alternative dispute resolution.