Increasing your commitment to accessibility expands your audience, enhances your reputation, and underpins a brand that stands for inclusivity, equality, and community engagement. 

A commitment to accessibility ensures that your business is not just a place where transactions happen but a community cornerstone that contributes to a more inclusive Central Oregon where everyone has the opportunity to participate fully.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in many areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and many public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. The ADA is divided into five titles (or sections) that relate to different areas of public life.

In 2008, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) was signed into law and became effective on January 1, 2009. The ADAAA made a number of significant changes to the definition of “disability.” The changes in the definition of disability in the ADAAA apply to all titles of the ADA, including Title I (employment practices of private employers with 15 or more employees, state and local governments, employment agencies, labor unions, agents of the employer and joint management labor committees); Title II (programs and activities of state and local government entities); and Title III (private entities that are considered places of public accommodation).

Focusing on physical, digital, and employment-related accessibility, the resources below provide guidance on associated laws.

Title I: Employment and Hiring

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Information, enforcement, and guidance on Title I (Employment) of the ADA for employers and employees/applicants.

U.S. Department of Labor - Department of Labor agencies that can help people with disabilities find meaningful work and launch successful careers, help employers hire people with disabilities, and help federal contractors navigate the law when hiring.

Job Accommodation Network - The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace.

Employers and the ADA: Myths and Facts | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

Title II: State & Local Government Services

U.S. Department of Justice ADA Home Page - Provides technical assistance, educational materials, and enforcement activities on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II (State & Local Government Services), Title III (Public Accommodations & Commercial Facilities), and 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Northwest ADA Center - The ADA National Network Center is a national platform composed of ADA professionals and experts charged with assisting businesses, state and local governments, and people with disabilities as they aim to make our culture friendly to disability.

Title III: Places of Public Accommodations & Commercial Facilities (Including the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design)

Americans with Disabilities Act Title III Regulations | ADA.gov: Title III covers businesses and nonprofit service providers that are public accommodations, privately operated entities offering certain types of courses and examinations, privately operated transportation, and commercial facilities.

Please note, the City of Bend does not endorse any of the products, vendors, consultants, or documentation referenced within these pages. Any mention of vendors, products, or services is for informational purposes and meant to serve as examples of businesses and organizations digitally working to provide accessible outcomes.

There are many statutes, rules, and regulations that require certain disability accommodations, including Federal and Oregon State laws. This webpage is intended to provide resources and information related to such accommodations; it does not constitute legal advice.