On July 26, 1990, the Americans With Disabilities Act became law. The ADA makes it illegal to discriminate against disabled persons in the areas of employment, public and private transportation, and access to public and commercial buildings. The physical access requirements of the ADA will affect both existing places of public access as well as new construction. Since many public and commercial properties will have to be altered to meet the ADA requirements, all builders and remodelers should be aware of them. What is the ADA? Title III of the ADA is the section regarding public accommodations. The term "public accommodation" refers to privately owned entities only, and includes such places as hotels and motels, restaurants and bars, theaters, convention centers, shopping centers, banks, insurance offices, hospitals,
