Service Dogs

For detailed information, visit our Service Dogs Guide.

Americans who have a physical, sensory or mental impairment that significantly limits one of more of their major life activities may have been deemed disabled by their treating medical professional. As a component of their ongoing treatment plan, a disabled patient’s licensed medical doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist may determine to include a service animal that is directly task-trained to mitigate their limitation. The qualified disabled, with the support of their medical professionals,  have civil rights against discrimination when using Service Animals under the following conditions.

  1. Employment:  Americans with Disabilities Act, Title I  (only for businesses with 15+ employees, requires a reasonable accommodation request by disabled employee to be approved prior to bringing service animal into workplace) Additional regulations apply to food service establishments.
  2. State and other local government services:  Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II (Federal government services exempt, maybe covered by other laws)
  3. Public transportation:  Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II (Does not apply to commercial air travel)
  4. Public access:  Americans with Disabilities Act, Title III (Can enter any business open to the public without additional charges or deposits for being accompanied with their service animal)
  5. Housing: Fair Housing Act, Rehab Act (only for covered residential properties, requires a reasonable accommodation request by the disabled tenant to be approved prior to bringing service animal onto property)
  6. Air Travel: Air Carrier Access Act (airlines can require documentation of psychiatric service animals, 48+ hours advance notice)
  7. Local Laws:   Most states have implemented additional protections against harassment of a service animal team which can include civil and criminal penalties.

Fraudulent handlers of self-described service animals have no civil rights for reasonable accommodation or public access.   In an increasing number of states, attempting to pass a family pet off as a service animal is a crime punishable with jailtime, community service and financial repercussions.  There is no national registration program for Service Animals.  Any online certification or registration business is misleading the public and committing fraud upon their customers.

Service Dogs in Training

For more information on Service Dogs in Training (SDiT)

Americans who have a physical, sensory or mental impairment that significantly limits one or more of their major life activities may have been deemed disabled by their treating medical professional. As a component of their ongoing treatment plan, a disabled patient’s licensed medical doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist may determine to include a service animal that is task-trained to mitigate their disability. There is no national government registration, testing, database or certification for service animals (service dogs or service mini-horses).   There are many outstanding non-profits that match trained service dogs with disabled applicants either for free or a nominal fee.  However, as demand exceeds supply, the waiting period can be several years. Other options, for those able with funding or unable to wait, is private third party training or self-training of candidate animals for use as a service animal. However, for the health and safety of the general public, under national regulations, Service Dogs in Training (SDiT) teams do NOT have the civil rights as those who have completed training. Service Dogs in Training have civil rights under the following conditions.

  1. Residential Housing:   Fair Housing Act, Rehab Act (only for covered properties, requires a reasonable accommodation request to be made by the disabled tenant and approved by property management prior to bringing the SDiT into the home.
  2. Under State Laws:  Outside of Michigan, South Dakota and Washington, states have enacted local legislation to cover the civil rights gap for Service Dogs in Training.  While some allow for full civil rights for self-training (conducted by disabled owners), most place limitations on public access for SDiT to licensed third-party training programs such as nonprofit organizations. American Disability Rights has a list of the public access privileges for service dogs in training (updated through 2017).

The Americans with Disabilities Act implementing regulations published by the Department of Justice and the Department of Labor do not extend civil rights protections to SDiT teams.

Emotional Support Animals

For more information on Emotional Support Animals

Emotional support animals are legally considered pets outside of two qualified situations of reasonable accommodation, residential housing (under the regulations for the Fair Housing Act) and domestic air travel (under regulations for the Air Carrier Access Act). An emotional support animal (ESA) is a dog or other common domesticated animal that provides support to its disabled handler through companionship, non-judgmental regard, affection and/or being a distraction from the issues of daily life.  While typically dogs or cats, emotional support animals may include other species. However, before any animal can be determined to be an ESA, their owner must first be diagnosed with a mental disability that significantly limits one or more of their daily major life activities by a qualified mental health professional. Emotional support animals do not have the disability task training required of service animals and are not required admission to public access locations.

Therapy Animals

For more information on Therapy Animals

Therapy dogs are dogs who go with their owners to volunteer in settings such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. From working with a child who is learning to read to visiting a senior in assisted living, therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the lives of other people. Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs are dogs who are specially trained to perform specific tasks to help a person who has a disability. An example of a service dog is a dog who guides an owner who is blind, or a dog who assists someone who has a physical disability. Service dogs stay with their person and have special access privileges in public places such as on planes, restaurants, etc. Therapy dogs, the dogs who will be earning the AKC Therapy Dog™ title, do not have the same special access as service dogs.

Pets

Emotional Support Animals
More information on keeping it pet friendly

Unless you’re legally disabled and have a properly licensed medical professional determine that you need a service dog or emotional support animal as part of your prescribed treatment plan, please completely ignore the internet rumors, viral videos and social media posts about:

  • How to bring your pet with your everywhere,
  • How you can escape paying pet deposits,
  • How to fly with your pet for free, or
  • How to get around breed/size restrictions in housing.

If you follow the money trail, these always lead to someone asking for you to pay for something that #1 provides no additional civil rights and #2 will never join you in court to defend your actions in front of the judge.  It’s also always cheaper to pay the pet deposits/fees than your legitimate medical bills for a factious disorder.

Military Service Veterans

For more information on options for military service veterans and service dogs

To support an active and independent lifestyle, the Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits for a service dog. Veterans enrolled in VA health care may be eligible for a guide/service dog.  A referral is made to a specialist from the primary care provider.  The Veteran’s VA medical team will perform a complete clinical evaluation to determine how best to assist the Veteran. Each working dog request is reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. VA does not provide guide dogs, rather it coordinates with accredited non-VA agencies that provide working dogs.  Once the Veteran is proficient using the guide dog, the dog will become the Veteran’s property.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.

Implementing Regulations: 29 CFR Parts 1630, 1602 (Title I, EEOC) 28 CFR Part 35 (Title II, Department of Justice) 49 CFR Parts 37, 38 , 39 (Title II, III, Department of Transportation) 28 CFR Part 36 (Title III, Department of Justice) 47 CFR §§ 64.601 et seq. (Title IV, FCC)

The ADA does not extend protections for emotional support animals, therapy animals or service dogs in training.

The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. It also applies to the United States Congress. To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.

Title I requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide qualified individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from the full range of employment-related opportunities available to others. For example, it prohibits discrimination in recruitment, hiring, promotions, training, pay, social activities, and other privileges of employment. It restricts questions that can be asked about an applicant’s disability before a job offer is made, and it requires that employers make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities, unless it results in undue hardship. Religious entities with 15 or more employees are covered under title I. Title I complaints must be filed with the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 days of the date of discrimination, or 300 days if the charge is filed with a designated State or local fair employment practice agency. Individuals may file a lawsuit in Federal court only after they receive a “right-to-sue” letter from the EEOC. Charges of employment discrimination on the basis of disability may be filed at any U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission field office. Field offices are located in 50 cities throughout the U.S. and are listed in most telephone directories under “U.S. Government.” For the appropriate EEOC field office in your geographic area, contact:

(800) 669-4000 (voice) (800) 669-6820 (TTY) www.eeoc.gov

Publications and information on EEOC-enforced laws may be obtained by calling:

(800) 669-3362 (voice) (800) 800-3302 (TTY)

For information on how to accommodate a specific individual with a disability, contact the Job Accommodation Network at:

(800) 526-7234 (voice) (877) 781-9403 (TTY) http://askjan.org

Title II covers all activities of State and local governments regardless of the government entity’s size or receipt of Federal funding. Title II requires that State and local governments give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all of their programs, services, and activities (e.g. public education, employment, transportation, recreation, health care, social services, courts, voting, and town meetings). State and local governments are required to follow specific architectural standards in the new construction and alteration of their buildings. They also must relocate programs or otherwise provide access in inaccessible older buildings, and communicate effectively with people who have hearing, vision, or speech disabilities. Public entities are not required to take actions that would result in undue financial and administrative burdens. They are required to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures where necessary to avoid discrimination, unless they can demonstrate that doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity being provided. Complaints of title II violations may be filed with the Department of Justice within 180 days of the date of discrimination. In certain situations, cases may be referred to a mediation program sponsored by the Department. The Department may bring a lawsuit where it has investigated a matter and has been unable to resolve violations. For more information, contact:

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Disability Rights Section – NYAV Washington, D.C. 20530 www.ada.gov (800) 514-0301 (voice) (800) 514-0383 (TTY)

Title II may also be enforced through private lawsuits in Federal court. It is not necessary to file a complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) or any other Federal agency, or to receive a “right-to-sue” letter, before going to court.

The transportation provisions of title II cover public transportation services, such as city buses and public rail transit (e.g. subways, commuter rails, Amtrak). Public transportation authorities may not discriminate against people with disabilities in the provision of their services. They must comply with requirements for accessibility in newly purchased vehicles, make good faith efforts to purchase or lease accessible used buses, remanufacture buses in an accessible manner, and, unless it would result in an undue burden, provide paratransit where they operate fixed-route bus or rail systems. Paratransit is a service where individuals who are unable to use the regular transit system independently (because of a physical or mental impairment) are picked up and dropped off at their destinations. Questions and complaints about public transportation should be directed to:

Office of Civil Rights Federal Transit Administration U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, Room E54-427 Room 9102 Washington, D.C. 20590 www.fta.dot.gov/ada (888) 446-4511 (voice/relay)

ADA does not extend public access rights to emotional support animals, therapy animals or service dogs in training.  Some states have granted sdit public access rights at their local level.

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. Public accommodations are private entities who own, lease, lease to, or operate facilities such as restaurants, retail stores, hotels, movie theaters, private schools, convention centers, doctors’ offices, homeless shelters, transportation depots, zoos, funeral homes, day care centers, and recreation facilities including sports stadiums and fitness clubs. Transportation services provided by private entities are also covered by title III. Public accommodations must comply with basic nondiscrimination requirements that prohibit exclusion, segregation, and unequal treatment. They also must comply with specific requirements related to architectural standards for new and altered buildings; reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures; effective communication with people with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities; and other access requirements. Additionally, public accommodations must remove barriers in existing buildings where it is easy to do so without much difficulty or expense, given the public accommodation’s resources. Courses and examinations related to professional, educational, or trade-related applications, licensing, certifications, or credentialing must be provided in a place and manner accessible to people with disabilities, or alternative accessible arrangements must be offered. Commercial facilities, such as factories and warehouses, must comply with the ADA’s architectural standards for new construction and alterations. Complaints of title III violations may be filed with the Department of Justice. In certain situations, cases may be referred to a mediation program sponsored by the Department. The Department is authorized to bring a lawsuit where there is a pattern or practice of discrimination in violation of title III, or where an act of discrimination raises an issue of general public importance. Title III may also be enforced through private lawsuits. It is not necessary to file a complaint with the Department of Justice (or any Federal agency), or to receive a “right-to-sue” letter, before going to court. For more information, contact:

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Disability Rights Section – NYAV Washington, D.C. 20530 www.ada.gov (800) 514-0301 (voice) (800) 514-0383 (TTY)

ADA Title IV: Telecommunications Relay Services

Title IV addresses telephone and television access for people with hearing and speech disabilities. It requires common carriers (telephone companies) to establish interstate and intrastate telecommunications relay services (TRS) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TRS enables callers with hearing and speech disabilities who use TTYs (also known as TDDs), and callers who use voice telephones to communicate with each other through a third party communications assistant. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set minimum standards for TRS services. Title IV also requires closed captioning of Federally funded public service announcements. For more information about TRS, contact the FCC at:

Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 https://www.fcc.gov/general/disability-rights-office (888) 225-5322 (Voice) (888) 835-5322 (TTY)

Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA | PDF

This eight-page document provides guidance and answers questions about the ADA’s service animal provisions. (2015)

ADA Requirements: Service Animals | PDF

This publication provides guidance on the term “service animal” and the service animal provisions in the Department’s new regulations. (2011)

Fair Housing Act

Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988  42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq.

Implementing Regulation: 24 CFR Parts 100 et seq.

HUD regulations under FHA and the Rehab Act extends protections for emotional support animals (ESA), service dogs and service dogs in training.

The Fair Housing Act, as amended in 1988, prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin. Its coverage includes private housing, housing that receives Federal financial assistance, and State and local government housing. It is unlawful to discriminate in any aspect of selling or renting housing or to deny a dwelling to a buyer or renter because of the disability of that individual, an individual associated with the buyer or renter, or an individual who intends to live in the residence. Other covered activities include, for example, financing, zoning practices, new construction design, and advertising. The Fair Housing Act requires owners of housing facilities to make reasonable exceptions in their policies and operations to afford people with disabilities equal housing opportunities. For example, a landlord with a “no pets” policy may be required to grant an exception to this rule and allow an individual who is blind to keep a guide dog in the residence. The Fair Housing Act also requires landlords to allow tenants with disabilities to make reasonable access-related modifications to their private living space, as well as to common use spaces. (The landlord is not required to pay for the changes.) The Act further requires that new multifamily housing with four or more units be designed and built to allow access for persons with disabilities. This includes accessible common use areas, doors that are wide enough for wheelchairs, kitchens and bathrooms that allow a person using a wheelchair to maneuver, and other adaptable features within the units. Complaints of Fair Housing Act violations may be filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For more information or to file a complaint, contact:

Office of Compliance and Disability Rights Division Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street, S.W. , Room 5242 Washington, D.C. 20410 www.hud.gov/offices/fheo (800) 669-9777 (voice) (800) 927-9275 (TTY)

For questions about the accessibility provisions of the Fair Housing Act, contact Fair Housing FIRST at:

www.fairhousingfirst.org (888) 341-7781 (voice/TTY)

For publications, you may call the Housing and Urban Development Customer Service Center at:

(800) 767-7468 (voice/relay)

Additionally, the Department of Justice can file cases involving a pattern or practice of discrimination. The Fair Housing Act may also be enforced through private lawsuits.

Service Animals and Assistance Animals for People with Disabilities in Housing and HUD-Funded Programs

U.S Department of Housing and Urban Developments Notice.  The definition of “service animal” contained in ADA regulations does not limit housing providers’ obligations to grant reasonable accommodation requests for assistance animals in housing under either the FHAct or Section 504. Under these laws, rules, policies, or practices must be modified to permit the use of an assistance animal as a reasonable accommodation in housing when its use may be necessary to afford a person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling and/or the common areas of a dwelling, or may be necessary to allow a qualified individual with a disability to participate in, or benefit from, any housing program or activity receiving financial assistance from HUD. (2013)

Reasonable Accommodations under the Fair Housing Act

The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) are jointly responsible for enforcing the federal Fair Housing Act (the “Act”), which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability.  One type of disability discrimination prohibited by the Act is the refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services when such accommodations may be necessary to afford a person with a disability the equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. HUD and DOJ frequently respond to complaints alleging that housing providers have violated the Act by refusing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. This Statement provides technical assistance regarding the rights and obligations of persons with disabilities and housing providers under the Act relating to reasonable accommodations. (2004)

Air Carrier Access Act

Air Carrier Access Act of 1986  49 U.S.C. § 41705

Implementing Regulation: 14 CFR Part 382

The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination in air transportation by domestic and foreign air carriers against qualified individuals with physical or mental impairments. It applies only to air carriers that provide regularly scheduled services for hire to the public. Requirements address a wide range of issues including boarding assistance and certain accessibility features in newly built aircraft and new or altered airport facilities. People may enforce rights under the Air Carrier Access Act by filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation. For more information or to file a complaint, contact:

Aviation Consumer Protection Division, C-75 U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590 https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disability (202) 366-2220 (voice) (202) 366-0511 (TTY) (800) 778-4838 (voice) (800) 455-9880 (TTY)

 | Subpart H §382.117   Must carriers permit passengers with a disability to travel with service animals?

Department of Transportation’s regulations for airlines nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in air travel. (2009)

Frequently Asked Questions

DOT’s answers to frequently asked questions concerning air travel of people with disabilities under the amended Air Carrier Access Act regulation. (2009)

Guidance concerning service animals re travel to the United Kingdom

This notice provides further guidance for airlines and the traveling public regarding the obligation of airlines under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and its implementing regulation 14 CFR Part 382 (Part 382) to transport service animals into the United Kingdom (U.K.). In addition, this notice addresses the general question of whether carriers may require health documentation for carriage of service animals on flights from the U.S. into countries other than the U.K. (2007)

Service Animal Guidance

In 1990, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) promulgated the official regulations implementing the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). Those rules are entitled Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel (14 CFR part 382). Since then the number of people with disabilities traveling by air has grown steadily. This growth has increased the demand for air transportation accessible to all people with disabilities and the importance of understanding DOT’s regulations and how to apply them. This document expands on an earlier DOT guidance document published in 1996, which was based on an earlier Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) service animal guide issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in July 1996. The purpose of this document is to aid airline employees and people with disabilities in understanding and applying the ACAA and the provisions of Part 382 with respect to service animals in determining: (1) Whether an animal is a service animal and its user a qualified individual with a disability; (2) How to accommodate a qualified person with a disability with a service animal in the aircraft cabin; and (3) When a service animal legally can be refused carriage in the cabin. (2003)

Rehabilitation Act

Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended 29 U.S.C. § 791

Implementing Regulation: 29 CFR § 1614.203

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended 29 U.S.C. § 793

Implementing Regulation: 41 CFR Part 60-741

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended 29 U.S.C. § 794

Over 20 Implementing Regulations for federally assisted programs, including: 34 CFR Part 104 (Department of Education) 45 CFR Part 84 (Department of Health and Human Services) 28 CFR §§ 42.501 et seq.

Over 95 Implementing Regulations for federally conducted programs, including: 28 CFR Part 39 (Department of Justice) 49 CFR Part 27 (Department of Transportation)

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended 29 U.S.C. § 794d

The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by Federal agencies, in programs receiving Federal financial assistance, in Federal employment, and in the employment practices of Federal contractors. The standards for determining employment discrimination under the Rehabilitation Act are the same as those used in title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Section 501 Section 501 requires affirmative action and nondiscrimination in employment by Federal agencies of the executive branch. To obtain more information or to file a complaint, employees should contact their agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office. Section 503 Section 503 requires affirmative action and prohibits employment discrimination by Federal government contractors and subcontractors with contracts of more than $10,000. For more information on section 503, contact:

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Room C-3325 Washington, D.C. 20210 www.dol.gov/ofccp/index.htm (202) 693-0106 (voice/relay)

Section 504 Section 504 states that “no qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under” any program or activity that either receives Federal financial assistance or is conducted by any Executive agency or the United States Postal Service. Each Federal agency has its own set of section 504 regulations that apply to its own programs. Agencies that provide Federal financial assistance also have section 504 regulations covering entities that receive Federal aid. Requirements common to these regulations include reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities; program accessibility; effective communication with people who have hearing or vision disabilities; and accessible new construction and alterations. Each agency is responsible for enforcing its own regulations. Section 504 may also be enforced through private lawsuits. It is not necessary to file a complaint with a Federal agency or to receive a “right-to-sue” letter before going to court. For information on how to file 504 complaints with the appropriate agency, contact:

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Disability Rights Section – NYAV Washington, D.C. 20530 www.ada.gov (800) 514-0301 (voice) (800) 514-0383 (TTY)

Section 508 Section 508 establishes requirements for electronic and information technology developed, maintained, procured, or used by the Federal government. Section 508 requires Federal electronic and information technology to be accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public. An accessible information technology system is one that can be operated in a variety of ways and does not rely on a single sense or ability of the user. For example, a system that provides output only in visual format may not be accessible to people with visual impairments and a system that provides output only in audio format may not be accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Some individuals with disabilities may need accessibility-related software or peripheral devices in order to use systems that comply with Section 508. For more information on section 508, contact:

U.S. General Services Administration Office of Government-wide Policy IT Accessiblity & Workflow Division (ITAW) 1800 F Street, N.W. Room 2222 – MEC:ITAW Washington, DC 20405-0001 www.gsa.gov/portal/content/105254 (202) 501-4906 (voice) U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 1331 F Street, N.W., Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20004-1111 www.access-board.gov 800-872-2253 (voice) 800-993-2822 (TTY)

Telecommunications Act

Telecommunications Act of 1996  47 U.S.C. §§ 255, 251(a)(2)

Section 255 and Section 251(a)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, require manufacturers of telecommunications equipment and providers of telecommunications services to ensure that such equipment and services are accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities, if readily achievable. These amendments ensure that people with disabilities will have access to a broad range of products and services such as telephones, cell phones, pagers, call-waiting, and operator services, that were often inaccessible to many users with disabilities. For more information, contact:

Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro (888) 225-5322 (Voice) (888) 835-5322 (TTY)

Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act

Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 42 U.S.C. §§ 1973ee et seq.

The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 generally requires polling places across the United States to be physically accessible to people with disabilities for federal elections. Where no accessible location is available to serve as a polling place, a political subdivision must provide an alternate means of casting a ballot on the day of the election. This law also requires states to make available registration and voting aids for disabled and elderly voters, including information by TTYs (also known as TDDs) or similar devices. For more information, contact:

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Voting Section – 1800 G Washington, D.C. 20530 (800) 253-3931 (voice/TTY)

National Voter Registration Act

Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 42 U.S.C. §§ 1973ee et seq.

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993, also known as the “Motor Voter Act,” makes it easier for all Americans to exercise their fundamental right to vote. One of the basic purposes of the Act is to increase the historically low registration rates of minorities and persons with disabilities that have resulted from discrimination. The Motor Voter Act requires all offices of State-funded programs that are primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities to provide all program applicants with voter registration forms, to assist them in completing the forms, and to transmit completed forms to the appropriate State official. For more information, contact: U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Voting Section – 1800 G Washington, D.C. 20530

www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting (800) 253-3931 (voice/TTY)

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act 42 U.S.C. §§ 1997 et seq.

The Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) authorizes the U.S. Attorney General to investigate conditions of confinement at State and local government institutions such as prisons, jails, pretrial detention centers, juvenile correctional facilities, publicly operated nursing homes, and institutions for people with psychiatric or developmental disabilities. Its purpose is to allow the Attorney General to uncover and correct widespread deficiencies that seriously jeopardize the health and safety of residents of institutions. The Attorney General does not have authority under CRIPA to investigate isolated incidents or to represent individual institutionalized persons. The Attorney General may initiate civil law suits where there is reasonable cause to believe that conditions are “egregious or flagrant,” that they are subjecting residents to “grievous harm,” and that they are part of a “pattern or practice” of resistance to residents’ full enjoyment of constitutional or Federal rights, including title II of the ADA and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. For more information or to bring a matter to the Department of Justice’s attention, contact:

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Special Litigation Section – PHB Washington, D.C. 20530 https://www.justice.gov/crt/civil-rights-institutionalized-persons (877) 218-5228 (voice/TTY)

Architectural Barriers Act

Architectural Barriers Act of 1968  42 U.S.C. §§ 4151 et seq.

Implementing Regulation: 41 CFR Subpart 101-19.6

The Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) requires that buildings and facilities that are designed, constructed, or altered with Federal funds, or leased by a Federal agency, comply with Federal standards for physical accessibility. ABA requirements are limited to architectural standards in new and altered buildings and in newly leased facilities. They do not address the activities conducted in those buildings and facilities. Facilities of the U.S. Postal Service are covered by the ABA. For more information or to file a complaint, contact:

U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 1331 F Street, N.W., Suite 1000 Washington, D.C. 20004-1111 www.access-board.gov (800) 872-2253 (voice) (800) 993-2822 (TTY)

General Sources of Disabilities Rights Information

ADA Information Line (800) 514-0301 (voice) (800) 514-0383 (TTY) www.ada.gov Regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (800) 949-4232 (voice/TTY) www.adata.org

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