The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination in areas of employment, state and local government, public accommodations, and telecommunications.
Five (5) Titles of the ADA
- Title I-Employment: This title is designed to help people with disabilities access the same employment opportunities and benefits available to people without disabilities. Employers must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants or employees
- Title II-State and Local Government: This title prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in all State and Local Government programs, activities and services.
- Title III-Public Accommodations: This title prohibits private places such as; hotels, restaurants, retail merchants, doctor’s offices, etc., from discriminating against individuals with disabilities.
- Title IV-Telecommunications: This title requires phone and internet companies to provide a system of telecommunications relay services where individuals with hearing and speech disabilities can communicate.
- Title V-Miscellaneous: The final title contains a variety of provisions relating to
the ADA, including its relationship to other laws, state immunity, impact on insurance providers and benefits, prohibition against retaliation and coercion, illegal drug use, and attorney’s fees.
Learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act at www.ada.gov/topics/intro-to-ada
About the Office
The Orange County Office on Disability was created to ensure all people with disabilities have equal access to Orange County Government programs, services, parks and recreation facilities in addition to addressing any concerns that are in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The Office on Disability is staffed with an ADA Program Manager to ensure compliance under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Title II requires "state/local governments to give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all their programs, services, and activities."
The office also oversees a Disability Advisory Board (DAB) which meets monthly to address concerns of citizens with disabilities and bring awareness of disability issues to the Orange County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners. To learn more about the DAB and their meeting schedule,
see Disability Advisory Board page.
What We Do
- Ensure access to Orange County Government programs and services
- Address ADA violation complaints within Orange County Government
- Answer questions about the ADA
- Provide information and referrals to other disability services and organizations
What We Don’t Do
- Assist with completing SSDI applications or knowledge of application status
- Provide case management services for people with disabilities
- Locate specialized housing
- Provide monetary assistance
The Office on Disability is committed to ensuring that all aspects of Title II are met by Orange County Government. In most cases the ADA Program Manager can resolve issues quickly and seamlessly with an informal complaint process.
If you would like to submit a Title II discrimination complaint, please complete this form:
ADA Discrimination Complaint Form
The Office on Disability is a part of the Orange County Citizen Resource and Outreach (CRO) Division. LEARN MORE about other CRO programs and services available to Orange County residents.