Know Your Rights
For persons with disabilities to be truly equal in our society they must have equal access to the services, sites, facilities, and buildings that make up our built environment. In order to achieve greater access for persons with disabilities, remove barriers to integration, promote inclusion in our society and to protect the civil rights and equal protection under the law for persons with disabilities, the Federal government and the State of Michigan have passed numerous laws to promote and achieve these goals including:
- Architectural Barriers Act of 1968;
- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973;
- Air Carrier Access Act of 1986;
- Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988;
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;
- Michigan Barrier Free Design Act of 1966;
- Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act; and many others.
The rules and regulations concerning accessibility can be very technical and detailed. So detailed in fact that the U.S. Access Board (a federal agency with the responsibility of the development of accessibility guidelines and standards for the built environment, transportation, communication, medical diagnostic equipment, and information technology) is continuously updating revising technical standards for accessibility ever since it was created in 1973.
These links are to sites where you can find information about accessibility and accessible design and file complaints if you believe there is an accessibility violation.
- Accessible Parking (ADA Network)
- Disability License Plate or Parking Placard (Michigan Secretary of State)
- Know the Rules “Blue Spaces” (Michigan Secretary of State)
- Report Accessible Parking Space Violations (Parking Mobility is a 501(c)(3))
- Physical Accessibility of Health Care Facilities (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – CMS)
- Wheelchair Travel (WheelchairTravel.org)
- Accessible Journeys (AccessibleJourneys.com)
- Accessibility (Pure Michigan -michigan.org)
- Accessibility (U.S. Forest Service)
- Michigan Trails (Michigantrails.org)
- ADA Hospitality – Accessible Meetings, Events & Conferences
- ADA National Network – Making Temporary Events Accessible
Where Can I Find Help Buying an Adaptive Vehicle or making my Vehicle Accessible?
Having an adaptive vehicle can be critical for individuals with disabilities and many have known the struggle to find reliable and affordable accommodations. The ability to drive safety and comfortably is important when maintaining the freedom to travel.
Vehicle modifications can include:
- Mechanical hand controls;
- A left foot accelerator;
- Reduced effort brakes and steering systems;
- Power transfer seats; and
- Lifts and ramps.
Disability Rights Michigan:
Where Can I Find Help Obtaining an Adaptive Vehicle or Making My Vehicle Accessible?
PDF DOCTXT
File an Accessibility Complaint
- Department of Justice ADA Complaints
- Department of Transportation – Complaints regarding Airplanes (Airport complaints are filed with DOJ)
- Federal Transit Administration – Public Transportation
- Michigan Department of Civil Rights
This information is a service of Disability Rights Michigan (DRM). It provides general information, based on the law at the time we wrote it, and is not legal advice. You do not have an attorney-client relationship with DRM. If you need legal advice, you should contact an attorney. If you would like more information about this topic or would like to receive this information in an alternative format call DRM at 800.288.5923.
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