What Difference Has The ADA Made?

he was signed into law in 1990 and its accessibility guidelines for buildings and facilities in 1991. The ADA, perhaps the nation's most important civil rights law since 1964, was enacted to ensure that disabled citizens enjoy the same rights and opportunities as all Americans, including access to everyday activities such as commerce, recreation, and travel. In fact, state and federal requirements for accessibility predate the ADA, but these early requirements were unevenly enforced. And while some disability rights advocates lament what they perceive as the ADA's weak enforcement and penalty provisions, the impact of this law is particularly evident in the built environment. That includes public spaces, transportation facilities and services, and public and private infrastructure — all areas where planners have an influence.