ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 

Overview

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

As part of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulatory requirements under Title II of the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (504), Caltrans ensures that subrecipients of Federal aid and State and local entities that are responsible for roadways and pedestrian facilities do not discriminate on the basis of disability in any highway transportation program, activity, service or benefit they provide to the general public; and to ensure that people with disabilities have equitable opportunities to use the public rights-of-way system.

28 CFR 35 requires that facilities constructed on behalf of, or for the use of, a public entity shall be designed and constructed so that the facility is accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.

49 CFR 27 requires nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities receiving or benefiting from federal financial assistance. The State of California has also adopted regulations in Section 54 of the California Civil Code that specifies all buildings, structures, sidewalks, curbs, and related facilities constructed in California by the use of state, county or municipal funds, or the funds of any political subdivision of the state, shall be accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.

Authorities 

• 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 27, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• 28 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 35, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
• 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
• Section 9.3: Accessibility of the Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM): Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)