Revised ADA Requirements: Effective and Compliance Date

Title III: Readily Achievable Barrier Removal

From September 15, 2010, to March 15, 2012, if the elements in a business serving the public (public accommodation) do not comply with the requirements for those elements in the 1991 Standards, the elements must be modified, to the extent readily achievable, using either the 1991 Standards or the 2010 Standards. The public accommodation must use only one standard for removing barriers in the entire facility. For example, it cannot choose the 1991 Standards for accessible routes and the 2010 Standards for restrooms.

On or after March 15, 2012, elements in a facility that do not comply with the 1991 Standards' requirements for those elements (for example where an existing restaurant has never undertaken readily achievable barrier removal) must be modified using the 2010 Standards to the extent readily achievable.

March 15, 2012, is the compliance date for the 2010 Standards which include revisions to the 1991 Standards as well as supplemental requirements for which there are no technical or scoping requirements in the 1991 Standards (such as swimming pools, play areas, marinas, or golf facilities). Public accommodations must comply with the 2010 Standards' supplemental requirements in existing facilities to the extent readily achievable.