The Americans with Disabilities Act: Application to the Internet
"The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides broad nondiscrimination protection in
employment, public services, public accommodations, and services operated by private entities,
transportation, and telecommunications for individuals with disabilities. As stated in the act, its
purpose is “to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of
discrimination against individuals with disabilities.”

However, the ADA, enacted on July 26, 1990, prior to widespread use of the Internet, does not
specifically cover the Internet, and the issue of coverage has not been definitively resolved. The
Supreme Court has not addressed this issue, although there are some lower court decisions. The
cases that directly discuss the ADA’s application to the Internet vary in their conclusions about
coverage. On July 23, 2010, the Department of Justice issued an advanced notice of proposed
rulemaking which would require Internet accessibility..."