---
title: "What Is Americans with Disabilities Act? Dental Practice Glossary"
description: "The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal civil rights law that bars discrimination based on disability in jobs, public places, services and communication."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/americans-with-disabilities-act
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Compliance and risk

# Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal civil rights law that bars discrimination based on disability in jobs, public places, services and communication.

ADA.gov says the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities. Do not confuse it with the American Dental Association, which shares the same letters.

ADA.gov applies the law to state and local governments and to businesses open to the public. Access can involve buildings, communication and websites.

See [web accessibility](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/web-accessibility) for the online side. The law has detailed rules, so ask an attorney how it applies to your office.

[Next stepPractice consulting with Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=consulting)

## Related terms

-   [Web accessibility](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/web-accessibility)
-   [Compliance checklist](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/compliance-checklist)
-   [Risk management](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/risk-management)

## Sources

1.  [ADA.gov: Introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act](https://www.ada.gov/topics/intro-to-ada/)

## Talk with Dr. Copeland

[Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)