Community Members and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Why should Latino community members learn more about the ADA?

Many members of the Latino community are not aware of the ADA and the rights of people with disabilities. Community members are a key part of the network of people who can offer support and information to people with disabilities. For example, religious leaders are highly respected members of Latino communities. Many studies have shown that when religious leaders are educated about a topic, they can then support their community in different ways related to that topic. Similarly, other trusted leaders in the community can provide and share information and resources. Educated leaders are key to improving access to information.

What is the ADA?

The ADA is a key civil rights law passed in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in most areas of community life, including access to public spaces, employment, and transportation.

What is the definition of disability under the ADA?

The ADA defines a person with a disability as someone who:

Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or
Has a history or record of an impairment (such as cancer that is in remission), or
Is regarded as having such an impairment by others even if the individual does not actually have a disability (such as a person who has scars from a severe burn that does not limit any major life activity).

What are my rights and responsibilities under the ADA?

Different sections of the ADA may apply to Latino community members in different ways.

Under Title I, qualified individuals with disabilities are protected in all aspects of employment. It includes reasonable accommodations, or adjustments/changes, that allow for equal access to the job or work environment.
Title II requires state/local governments to give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all their programs, services, and activities. This may include places or programs like public schools, parks, voting locations, public transit, or youth sports leagues.
Title III prohibits discrimination based on disability in places and spaces that offer a service to the public. This includes private entities such as restaurants, hotels, theaters, doctors' offices, pharmacies, etc.

Recommendations for community members

Community leaders and others in Latino communities can increase disability awareness and education to create a more inclusive community. It is important to understand the rights of the members of your community so you can provide support when needed. Learn about your regional ADA Center and find more information and resources so you can support your community.

Where can I learn more?

Other resources

ADA National Network: The ADA and Caregivers: Frequently Asked Questions: adata.org/factsheet/ada-and-caregivers
ADA National Network: Disability Rights Laws in Public Primary and Secondary Education: How Do They Relate?: adata.org/factsheet/disability-rights-laws-public-primary-and-secondary-education-how-do-they-relate
ADA National Network: An Overview of the Americans With Disabilities Act: adata.org/factsheet/ADA-overview
ADA National Network: Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace: adata.org/factsheet/reasonable-accommodations-workplace

Suggested Citation: Horowitz, E., Garcia-Torres, M., Gonzalez, O., Parker Harris, S., Gould, R., Porter, M., and Harniss, M. (2024). Community Members and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Chicago, IL and Seattle, WA. ADA National Network Knowledge Translation Center.

Content was developed via the ADANN Spanish Language Outreach project, and is based on professional consensus of ADA experts and the ADA National Network.

The content of this product was developed under grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant numbers 90DPAD0004, 90DPAD0011, 90DPAD0003, 90DPAD0008, 90DPAD0005, 90DPAD0012, 90DPAD0010, 90DPAD0007, 90DPAD0014, 90DPAD0006, and 90DPAD0002). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this product do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

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