ADA Laws and Information

Federal Laws were passed in 1990 permitting the Hearing-Impaired to have a better way of life. The American with Disabilities Act makes it imperative for all Lodging Establishment (hotels), and many other places serving the public (911 call response center, Malls, etc…) to provide certain electronic devices to accommodate Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. For a better understanding of these laws, we are including below direct A.D.A. Quotes taken directly from the manual. Also included, you will find some of the most common questions and answers.

Please note: All law and informational material on our site is presented with the understanding that TTY-TDD STORE does not render any legal or other professional service. The information contained herein is based on documents presently available to its author. In no event will TTY-TDD STORE be liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages from the use of this material.

ADA Laws and Information
Table of Contents

ADA Laws - General

How To Get ADA Publications and Free Information

Accessibility Laws For Hotels and Other Lodging Establishments

• What does the ADA require for telephone accessibility?
• How many TTYs do I need to be accessible?
• Will TTY equipment work with my phone system?
• How can my staff get instruction on TTY use?
• Do my guests need instructions on TTY use?
• Direct quotes gathered from the ADA Technical Assistance Manual
• Match the number of rooms in your facility with the number of kits required by law
• How does TTY communication work?
• What features will be helpful for my staff?
• What features are useful for the guests?
• If I provide a TTY to the guest, does that mean the phone service is then fully accessible?
• Is the built-in red light on the telephone enough to alert the hearing impaired guest to the ringing telephone?
• How can I let people know that my hotel is TTY accessible?

Emergency Services Telephone Accessibility Laws

• Introduction
• What does the ADA require for telephone emergency services?
• What services are covered by telephone emergency services in Title II?
• What is direct access?
• How many TTYs do I need in my center to be accessible?
• How would I connect the TTY in my center?
• Can I have the TTY automatically answer the call and send out an identification message?
• How do I know the call is a TTY call?
• Is there technology to help identify TTY calls?
• If the incoming TTY caller does not use a voice announcer or generate TTY tones, can the TDD Detector help to identify this silent call?
• Can I get a printout of the TTY call?
• How many TDD Detectors do I need?
• I use and ACD in my center, can I still use the TDD Detector?
• How do I connect a TDD Detector to my console?
• I have an enhanced 911 system. Are TTYs and TDD Detectors compatible with this system?