The Perceptions of People with Disabilities as to the Effectiveness of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Abstract

This study examines the perceptions of people with disabilities as to the effectiveness of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in regard to accessibility issues covered by Titles II, III, and IV. In analyzing the influence of the independent variables (disability type, age of onset of disability, disability organization membership, and employment status) on perceptions of the ADA's effectiveness, most of the results were not statistically significant. However, differences among the three titles did emerge from the analysis. Title II (public sector) was rated somewhat higher than Title III (private sector) in improved accessibility of covered entities since the passage of the ADA. However, in neither case did a majority of respondents rate accessibility issues covered by these titles as better. In contrast, a majority of respondents rated Title IV (telecommunications) as better. Reasons for the perceived differences among the titles are discussed.