Disability Rights – Public Accommodations
(ADA Title III)
Access to public accommodations and services is a civil right under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Businesses that open their doors to the public must ensure that their spaces and services are accessible to people with disabilities.
The general rule prohibits places of public accommodation from denying a person with a disability from participating in or benefiting from the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations of any such entity. In addition, such entities are prohibited from providing an unequal benefit or a separate benefit based on one’s disability. Any violation of such prohibitions is sufficient to state an ADA Title III claim.
These obligations include:
Accessibility and architectural features that may act as access barriers in areas such as restrooms, meeting & banquet rooms, hotel guest rooms, parking lots, structures, recreation facilities, and walking paths
Barriers hindering accessibility to services including absence of auxiliary aids, closed captioning, adequate accommodation of service animals, and Braille signage
Electronic barriers that hinder access to digital content, websites, online reservation systems, public electronic terminals such as ATMs and ticketing mechanisms, as well as the developing technologies pertaining to these systems
Experiential systemic barriers that hinder disabled individuals from achieving access to public services and accommodations, including inadequate staff procedures and training programs, and inadequate internal policies
Our commitment to disability rights runs deep, drawing on decades of experience — including collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice and class action litigation
Access to Physical Spaces
The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) provide clear, mandatory requirements for businesses when it comes to removing barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from fully enjoying many everyday activities. The problem, however, is that most businesses fail to comply with these strict standards—not out of any intent to violate the law, but because of the highly technical specifications that ADAAG requires. Businesses must adhere to a variety of detailed standards, from parking lot configurations and entrances to restroom layouts and other architectural features.
Unfortunately, compliance with ADAAG can be complicated, and many businesses do not realize they are not in compliance until it is too late. It is crucial for businesses to regularly review their accessibility measures and take timely action. While the law allows for lawsuits and court orders requiring compliance, many issues can be resolved amicably and swiftly. We are committed to helping businesses come into compliance before or after a lawsuit is filed, saving valuable time, money, and potential reputational damage—and equally committed to representing individuals when businesses fail to meet their legal obligations.
Our Approach
We work strategically to achieve real change. We pursue practical solutions where possible and are fully prepared to litigate when necessary. Our focus is always on meaningful access, not technicalities, and on helping individuals with disabilities fully participate in everyday life with dignity, independence, and equality.
Denying someone the ability to enjoy a simple, everyday experience—whether it is driving to a store, enjoying dinner at a restaurant, or staying at a hotel—should never happen. We will aggressively fight for those who are denied access, ensuring that businesses fulfill their obligations and that people with disabilities can enjoy the same rights to public accommodation as everyone else. Our experience spans both defending businesses of all sizes against ADA claims and representing individuals in lawsuits and class actions. We firmly believe that no one should be excluded from participating in society simply because of accessibility barriers.