The Americans with Disabilities Act was designed to ensure that an estimated 42 million Americans, who currently live with a disability, will be able to live fuller lives. The ADA mandates that businesses make their services accessible to all. Its regulations encompass a wide range of establishments, both public and private.

Besides their moral obligations, businesses also face financial and legal consequences for not complying with accessibility standards detailed in this course.

Should business considerations carry more weight than legal compliance or morality, consider this. More than 50 million Americans, roughly18% of our population, have disabilities and are all potential customers who patronize businesses that welcome disabled customers. 71.5 million rapidly aging baby boomers will soon be demanding products, services and environments that meet their physical needs. When they find businesses where they can shop, or get services in an accessible manner, they will become repeat customers.

Society wins when ADA provisions are implemented. So do the businesses which do so.