Access for All

The Department of Justice, responding to the New Freedom Initiative, a comprehensive set of goals and a plan of action to ensure that people with disabilities face no further obstacles to full participation in our free market economy and society, has increased and improved its implementation of the ADA. The goal of the ADA is simple -to open up all aspects of American life to people with disabilities. For too long, people with disabilities were held back by old modes of thinking and old methods of building. Prevailing attitudes made it hard for people with disabilities to get an education or to get a job. Barriers in society prevented people with disabilities from getting where they needed to go to build a better life. This Report demonstrates that our robust enforcement program sets the standard for ADA compliance nationwide. Our highly respected technical assistance program annually helps millions of people understand and comply voluntarily with the ADA. With Project Civic Access, we assist local governments around the country as they make their programs and services more accessible to people with disabilities. Our unique mediation program helps resolve ADA disputes. Our ADA Business Connection brings together local business and disability leaders, helping them facilitate access of people with disabilities to products and services, which in turn expands business markets. With these tools, we have helped provide people with disabilities greater access to health care, emergency services, town halls, courts, transportation, education, employment, stores, hotels, restaurants, movie theaters, sports arenas, childcare centers, and other settings in communities across America. This Report provides dozens of examples of such achievements over the years. The following pages tell the remarkable story of how the Department of Justice over the years has worked to bring about these vital changes that not only enable people with disabilities to benefit from all of the richness of American life, but also allow America to benefit from all of the skills and talents that people with disabilities have to offer. Note: some images have intentionally be left blank.