An update on the Americans with Disabilities Act: implications for health and human services delivery

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law nearly a decade ago. The ADA is designed to protect persons with disabilities from discrimination in nearly every aspect of American life. This article focuses on a number of recent court rulings that help to clarify important components of the ADA. It is critical for health and human services professionals to be aware of these recent rulings because they affect the delivery of services. It is concluded that professionals working in the health and human services should have ongoing training and education concerning the changing legal interpretations of the ADA. Many of these changes have important implications for service delivery.