ADA in Action: How It’s Enforced, Taught, and Followed

By Marins Med

Intro

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990 to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities in nearly every aspect of public life—including employment, education, transportation, and access to public and private spaces.

For upper-limb amputees, the ADA isn’t just legal jargon—it’s a tool for fairness. But like any tool, it only works if you understand how to use it. The law stands on three key pillars that ensure its power reaches real people in real situations: enforcement, education, and compliance.

Let’s break down how each pillar supports your rights—and what that means for living, working, and navigating the world with limb loss.

1. Enforcement – Holding the Line When Rights Are Violated

The ADA prohibits discrimination—but what happens when it still occurs? That’s where enforcement comes in.

Who’s responsible:
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Handles job-related complaints like unfair hiring practices or denial of reasonable accommodations.
- U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): Enforces accessibility in public services and private businesses.
- Other agencies include the Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and more.

Real-life example for amputees:
- You’re denied a job because of your prosthesis? That’s an EEOC issue.
- Your local clinic doesn’t accommodate your one-handed access needs? That could fall under DOJ or HHS enforcement.

What to do:
Document what happened and file a complaint with the right agency. These agencies can investigate, mediate, and even sue on your behalf if needed.

2. Education – Knowing Your Rights (and Spreading the Word)

Understanding your rights is essential—and that’s the second pillar.

Why education matters:
- Agencies like the DOJ and EEOC provide public training, resources, and technical assistance to help individuals, businesses, and governments understand what the ADA requires.
- For upper-limb amputees, this includes knowing you can ask for modified tools, adjusted work setups, or assistance using healthcare technology.

You should never feel like you’re asking for a favor—you're requesting what the law guarantees.

This education also empowers businesses and professionals to do better by building inclusive environments before problems arise.

3. Compliance – Making Sure Systems Work for Everyone

Compliance is about proactively following the law—not just reacting when violations happen.

What compliance includes:
- Making buildings and digital spaces accessible
- Offering appropriate accommodations for mobility, dexterity, and communication
- Ensuring healthcare and education systems are usable by people with limb loss

Who’s involved:
- Employers, public institutions, transportation systems, schools, and hospitals are all responsible for meeting ADA standards.
- Oversight bodies like the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) issue the design and accessibility guidelines they must follow.

Why it matters for amputees:
- Can you get through a door while wearing a prosthetic?
- Can you use both hands for medical check-in screens?
- Can you open that gym locker?

If not, there may be a compliance issue—and you’re not wrong to ask for change.

Final Thought: The Law Is on Your Side—If You Know How to Use It

The ADA is powerful, but it’s not automatic. It relies on people—like you—knowing their rights, speaking up when something isn’t accessible, and expecting better. At Marins Med, we believe in tools that support life, not limit it. Whether it’s a prosthetic device or a piece of legislation, it’s only useful if it helps people move forward.

Sources

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, ADA.gov; U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC.gov); U.S. Access Board (access-board.gov); Department of Health and Human Services (HHS.gov)