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Effective March 15, 2012, the ADA requires that all new construction or alterations by a state or local government be accessible as defined by the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

Standards can be found here: https://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm.

For additional information, take a look at the following resources:

FAQ: Where can I find a complete set of ADA standards for accessible design?

Fact Sheet: Open Doors to Everyone

Fact Sheet: Accessible Parking

The ADA requires that all new construction of places of public accommodation, as well as of "commercial facilities" such as office buildings, be accessible. Elevators are generally not required in facilities under three stories or with fewer than 3,000 square feet per floor, unless the building is a shopping center or mall; the professional office of a health care provider; a terminal, depot, or other public transit station; or an airport passenger terminal. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design set minimum requirements – both scoping and technical -- for newly designed and constructed or altered public accommodations and commercial facilities to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

See the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design for more information regarding new construction: https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/2010ADAStandards/2010ADAstandards.htm

For additional information, take a look at the following resources:

FAQ: Where can I find a complete set of ADA standards for accessible design?

FAQ: What standards must places of public accommodations and commercial facilities use for readily achievable barrier removal and in new construction and alterations?

“Regarded as” means that the person either:

• Has an impairment that does not substantially limit a major life activity;
• Has an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity only as a result of the attitudes of others toward them; or
• Does not have any impairment, but is treated by an entity as having an impairment.

For additional information, take a look at the following resources:

FAQ: Can you give me an example of someone who is “regarded as” having a disability? 

FAQ: What are major life activities?

FAQ: Who is protected from employment discrimination?

FAQ: What is the definition of disability under the ADA?

A public entity must ensure that individuals with disabilities can participate in its services, programs, and activities. A state or local government's programs, when viewed in their entirety, must be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. This standard, known as "program accessibility," applies to all existing facilities of a public entity.

Public entities do not necessarily have to make each of their existing facilities accessible. Program access can be achieved through different methods including alteration of existing facilities, acquisition or construction of additional facilities, relocation of a service or program to an accessible facility, provision of services at alternate accessible sites, or change to a policy or procedure.

For additional information, take a look at the following resources:

FAQ: What are the ADA requirements for altering facilities? 

FAQ: How do the 2010 changes to the ADA Standards for Accessible Design impact parking spaces that already exist?

FAQ: Is my building “grandfathered in” under the old 1991 ADA Standards for Accessible Design or do I need to comply with the 2010 ADA Standards?