§12183 New construction and alterations in public accommodations and commercial facilities

Summary

Requires places open to the public and commercial buildings to be built and changed so people with disabilities can use them. New buildings first occupied later than 30 months after July 26, 1990 must be readily accessible and usable by people with disabilities unless the owner can show it is structurally impossible under rules set by the government. When a facility or part of it is altered and the change affects how it can be used, the changed parts must, as much as possible, be made accessible, including for people who use wheelchairs. If the change affects an area that contains a main function, the route to that area and the bathrooms, telephones, and drinking fountains that serve it must also be made accessible unless those additions would be disproportionate in cost and scope under criteria set by the Attorney General. Elevators do not have to be added in buildings that are under three stories tall or have less than 3,000 square feet per floor, unless the building is a shopping center, a shopping mall, or a health care provider’s professional office, or unless the Attorney General decides a category of such buildings needs elevators based on how they are used.