The ADA covers 12 types of places of public accommodation. Here are some types of places covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act according to the US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division. Please note, this is not an exhaustive or complete list of places covered by the ADA, but are commonplaces frequented by the public. The ADA also covers the business’ below even if they are just renting space inside or on other property, so beware.
A recent US Supreme Court case has expanded the definition of “public” to also now include home owner associations, condo owner associations and private facilities that allow a member of the public to buy a private membership.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
This includes restaurants, fast food locations, food trucks, bars, clubs, cafes & coffee shops, bakeries, ice cream shops, food courts, buffets, delis, pizzerias, catering halls, drive-thru & walk-up windows, and lounges.
HOTELS & LODGING
This includes hotels, motels, inns, resorts, extended stay and short-stay places that are rented or made available to the public, bed & breakfast, hostels, some vacation rental properties, timeshares, condo-rentals, cabins & cottages, campgrounds.
EXERCISE & RECREATION
Places that fall into this category are gyms, fitness centers, martial arts / boxing / BJJ / MMA facilities, yoga & pilates, dance studios, indoor climbing gym, ice rinks, bowling alley, swimming pools, spas, saunas, golf courses, driving ranges, tennis courts, skate parks, batting cages, arcades, indoor fun-centers, amusement parks, mini golf, outdoor recreational outfitters, public and private parks that allow the public to enter (for free or for a fee).
RETAIL (SALES & RENTAL)
This covers stores and rental facilities, including retailers such as shopping malls, auto parts stores, clothing, home furnishing, groceries, farmers markets, pharmacies, hardware stores, jewelers, salons, hair dressers, electronics, mobile phone stores, sporting goods stores, pet stores, wholesale clubs, party supply stores, florists, landscaping retailers care dealerships and service department.
It also covers places that rent things such as car rentals, party & event rentals, constume rentals, bridal and tuxedo rentals, U-haul, bike & scooter rentals, storage unit rental places, bounce-house rentals, tool and hardware rentals, showrooms.
PLACES OF PUBLIC GATHERING
Common places are auditoriums, concert venues, sports stadiums, movie theaters, civic centers, Lecture & meeting halls, places of worship, zoos & aquariums, banquet & event venues, public plazas, museums, libraries, Amusement parks, fairgrounds, conference halls and centers, co-op work spaces. This is not a complete list, but offers an overview of the most common places people visit.
PLACES OF EDUCATION
Public and private schools (K-12), colleges & universities (public and private), trade & vocational schools, technical institutes, career training centers, tutorial & learning centers, adult education programs, language schools, driving schools, cosmetology & barber schools, flight schools, test prep centers (ACT SAT, LSAT, GRE, etc.), continuing education, professional training facilities, and daycare & early childhood learning centers.
SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS
Banks & credit unions, doctor’s offices, medical providers/offices, barber shops & hair salons, nail salon, day spa, dry cleaners, tailors, gas stations, repair shops (electronics, automotive, appliance, shoe, jeweler), travel agencies, insurance offices, real estate offices, tax prep offices, law offices, optometry, pet grooming / salons / kennels / parks / resorts, shipping & mailing stores, mail box rental stores, photography studios, tattoo & piercing parlors and facilities.
EXHIBITION & ENTERTAINMENT
Movie theaters, performing arts venues, concert & music halls, sports arenas & stadiums, convention centers, museums, art galleries, casinos, nightclubs, racetracks, exhibition halls & trade show floors, historic sites that require ticketed entry.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Public and Private City bus systems (fixed routes), bus rapid transit (BRT), para-transit & demand-response service, light rail, streetcars, subways & metros, commuter rail, inter-city passenger rail, regional passenger rail, public ferries & water taxis, and public shuttle services (airport shuttles, municipal shuttles, campus shuttles open to the public).
Transit facilities such as bus stops & shelters, transit centers & terminals, train platforms & stations, park & ride lots, ticket counters, fare machines, passenger waiting areas.
PUBLIC DISPLAYS & COLLECTIONS
Museums, art galleries, exhibit halls, visitor centers, historic houses & sites open for tours, botanical gardens / conservatories (with public displays), science centers, public archives / special collections areas (when open to the public), hall-of-fame or memorial exhibit spaces, Trade show exhibits, Public art installations with a managed exhibit route.
SOCIAL SERVICE CENTERS
Food banks / food pantries, homeless shelters, emergency shelters (including domestic violence shelters), soup kitchens / community meal programs, community action agencies, welfare / public assistance offices (public-facing service centers), job training and placement centers, vocational rehabilitation centers, disability services organizations, counseling centers / mental health community clinics, substance abuse treatment intake/service centers, senior centers / aging services offices, youth centers / mentoring program offices, refugee / immigrant assistance centers, nonprofit case-management offices, adoption and family services agencies, and neighborhood resource centers (multi-service hubs).
PLACES OF RECREATION
Public parks and playgrounds, recreation centers, community pools / splash pads, sports fields and courts (baseball/softball fields, soccer fields, basketball/tennis/pickleball courts), golf courses / driving ranges, trails and greenways, campgrounds and RV parks, marinas / boat ramps, fishing piers / boardwalks, skate parks, dog parks, beaches with managed public access points, amusement parks and water parks, arcades / family entertainment centers, mini-golf, bowling alleys, ice/roller rinks, and climbing gyms.